How to celebrate Easter correctly? What are the Easter traditions in Ukraine and other countries?

As you know, Easter is one of the main holidays of Orthodox Christians. It was celebrated even in the days of the Soviet Union, when the authorities tried to instill atheism at the people, believers were persecuted, and churches and temples were closed everywhere. However, this period did not pass without a trace. Moreover, today most people, both young and middle-aged, do not know much about Orthodox traditions. In this regard, everyone needs to learn how to celebrate Easter properly. We will talk about this later.

Begin to prepare ahead of time

If you want to learn about how to celebrate Easter by all rules, then keep in mind that believing people begin to prepare for it in advance. So, first of all, you should observe the Great Lent. It lasts for 7 weeks and ends with the Easter celebration. Do not forget that fasting is not only a refusal of carnal and gastronomic pleasures, but also the purification of our soul from bad thoughts, cruelty and evil. If the state of health does not allow you to fast, but you want to properly prepare for Easter, give up meat, fish, milk and eggs at least a week before the great holiday - on Good Friday.

Passionate Thursday

Considering the question of how to celebrate Easter, special attention should be paid to the Passionate (or as it is often called "clean") Thursday. On this day the festive meal of Jesus Christ was held surrounded by his disciples. Today, on this day, it is customary to partake of the Holy Communion, clean up your dwelling, bathe, and bake cakes and paint eggs. It is recommended to cook more festive meals. After all, eggs and cakes will serve as gifts to your relatives and friends whom you visit or who will come to visit you on Easter.

Good Friday

The day after "clean" Thursday, a shroud is worn out of the church - a cloth that wraps the body of Jesus. The priests hold the rank of his burial, after which the shroud sweeps around the temple. On this day it is not recommended to engage in any important or serious business.

Great Saturday

On this day, believers bring eggs and cakes to the temple for their consecration. In the evening, a liturgy is held, after which a solemn divine service takes place at night, which is the most magnificent and beautiful church action. If you have never attended the Passover service, then do it. Believe me, you will not regret it. After all, this action has no analogues in solemnity, spirituality and beauty. Therefore, one of the main answers to the question of how to celebrate Easter is the recommendation to attend a festive divine service.

Easter Resurrection

If you spent the whole night from the Great Saturday on the day of the Resurrection of the Lord in the church, then, having returned home, you should prepare a festive table for breaking. Along with the consecrated Easter cakes and eggs, put other festive dishes. As a rule, for Easter bake a duck or goose, cook pies, jellies, etc. In addition, it is not forbidden to drink wine on this day. Answering the question about how to celebrate Easter, it is worthwhile to remind that on this bright day it is customary to greet each other with the words "Christ is Risen", what it is necessary to answer "Truly is risen".

The celebration of Easter does not end on the same day. Following the Resurrection, six days on religious canons are not inferior to him in importance. In general, the holiday lasts 40 days. During this time it is customary to go to visit and give gifts.

How do they celebrate Easter in Ukraine?

In general, the traditions of this Christian holiday in Ukraine do not differ from Russian ones. They also observe the Great Lent, paint eggs and bake cakes on "clean" Thursday, attend a solemn service and consecrate the dishes on the night from Saturday to Sunday. However, in Ukraine there is one more custom, roots dating back to the time of Ancient Greece. Despite the fact that priests do not approve of this practice, people often arrange a festive Easter dinner on the graves of their deceased relatives.

How do they celebrate Easter in different countries?

Since this holiday is not only Orthodox, but also Catholic, it is celebrated almost all over the world. And, of course, each country has its own special customs and traditions. So, for example, in Australia Easter, as well as the following Monday, are a state holiday. There are many fairs and various entertainment events.

But in the American metropolis, New York, on Easter, there is a big parade, during which hundreds of thousands of residents and visitors of the city march in a multicolored and brightly dressed procession through the streets of the city.

In Europe, the most important character on this day is the Easter rabbit. So, according to tradition, it is believed that it is he who brings brightly colored eggs. On this day it is customary to give each other gifts, which, as a rule, are beautiful baskets with eggs and various sweets.