Easter in Russia, as in other countries - the holiday festivities, celebrations celebrations.But now the world is changing rapidly, and most importantly, what remains unchanged, goes by the wayside.Rarely today's youth, especially in metropolitan areas, understands the significance of the Easter holiday, goes to confession and sincerely supports the age-old tradition.But the Easter - the main Orthodox holiday, bringing light and joy of entire peoples, in the family and the soul of every believer.
What is the "Easter"?
Christians mean by the word "Easter", "prehozhdenie from death to life, from earth to heaven."Forty days believers observe strict fasting and celebrating the Passover in honor of the victory of Jesus' death.
Passover pronounced "Pesach" (Hebrew word) and means "passed, has passed."The roots of the word are history liberation of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt.
The New Testament says that Jesus took the destroyer passes.
In some languages, the word is pronounced - "Piskha."This is the Aramaic name, which is common in some languages of Europe and remained until now.
Whatever utters the words, the essence of Easter does not change, for all the faithful is the most important celebration.Bright holiday carrying joy and hope in the hearts of believers throughout the earth.
history of the holiday before the birth of Christ, or the Old Testament Easter
Festival originated long before the birth of Christ, but the significance of the Passover at that time was very high for the Jewish people.
The story goes that once the Jews were in captivity of the Egyptians.Many abuse, misery and oppression suffered by the slaves of their masters.But faith in God, the hope of salvation and grace of God has always lived in their hearts.
One day, along came a man named Moses, who with his brother was sent to them for salvation.God chose Moses to reason with the Egyptian Pharaoh and saved the Jewish people from slavery.
But try as he might to convince Pharaoh to let Moses people the freedom they had not been granted.Egyptian Pharaoh and his people did not believe in God, worshiping their deities and only relying on the help of wizards.To prove the existence and power of the Lord to the people of Egypt had collapsed nine terrible plagues.No bloody rivers or toads or gnats or flies, no darkness, no thunder - none of this would not be if the governor sent the people with his cattle.
Last tenth penalty, as previous to punish Pharaoh and his people, but has not affected the Jews.Moses warned that every family should be killed on the immaculate year-old male lamb.Animal blood to anoint the doors of their houses, a lamb roast and eat it with your family.
night were killed every firstborn male in houses in humans and animals.Only the houses of the Jews, which was a bloody mark, the trouble is not affected.Since then, the "Easter" means - the last past is past.
This penalty is much scared of Pharaoh, and he dismissed the servants with all their herds.The Jews went to the sea, where the water is opened up, and they quietly went to the bottom of it.Pharaoh wanted to re-break his promise and went after them, but the water is absorbed.
Jews began to celebrate the liberation from slavery and their families can avoid the killings, calling the Easter holiday.The history and significance of the Passover depicted in the Bible book of "Exodus".
Easter New Testament
In the land of Israel from the Virgin Mary, Jesus Christ was born, which was to save souls from the bondage of hell.In the thirty years of Jesus began to preach, telling people about the laws of God.But after three years he was crucified along with other undesirable to the authorities on the cross, which was set on Mount Calvary.It happened after the Passover, on Friday, which was later dubbed the Holy.This event complements the value of the Passover with new meaning, tradition and attributes.
Christ, like a lamb, was slain, but his bones were intact, and it was his sacrifice for the sins of all mankind.
A little history
eve of the crucifixion, on Thursday held the Last Supper, where Jesus is presented as the bread his body and the wine - the blood.Since then, the value of the Easter holiday has not changed, but the new Passover meal was the Eucharist.
first feast was the weekly.Friday was a day of mourning and the beginning of Lent, and Sunday - a day of joy.
In 325, the First Ecumenical Council was determined by the date of the celebration of Easter - the first Sunday after the spring full moon.Russian Orthodox Church uses the Julian calendar.To calculate what day Easter falls in a given year, it is necessary to make quite complex calculations.But for ordinary lay people made the holiday calendar of dates for decades to come.
For a long time the existence of the festival, he had grown a tradition, which to this day hold in families, and adopt.
Lent
Easter in Russia - one of the major holidays, even for those people who are in the church is very rare.Today, in an era of high technology and urbanization, have generations who prefer live communication computer, the church gradually loses its power over the hearts and souls of people.But almost everyone, regardless of age and the power of faith, knows what Lent.
the older generation in the family tradition passed.Adhere to all post rarely solved, often just in the last week people somehow follow the rules.
40 days believers should eat, not taking in food products of animal origin (and some days post more stringent), not to drink alcohol, to pray, to confess, take communion, to do good, not to speak evil.
Ends Lent Holy Week.Service for Easter has a special meaning and scope.In modern Russia, the central channel in a live broadcast service.In every church, even the smallest village, the night lit candles and sing hymns.Million members all over the country do not sleep all night, praying, attending service, light candles, sanctifying food and water.And ends with the post on Sunday after making all church ceremonies.Fasting sit down and celebrate Easter.
Easter greeting
From childhood we teach children that welcoming person on this holiday, you must say: "Christ is risen!" And answering the following words: "Truly He is risen!" To learn more, what is the reason, it is necessarygo to the Bible.
essence of Easter is perehozhdenii Jesus to his Father.History says that Jesus was crucified on Friday (Good).The body was removed from the cross and buried.Coffin - a cave carved into the rock, covered with a huge stone.The bodies of the dead (the victims were yet) enveloped fabrics and grind spices.But the body of Jesus did not have time to make the rite because of Jewish law to work on the Sabbath is strictly prohibited.
Women - followers of Christ - Sunday morning went to his grave, to perform the ceremony himself.They descended the angel who told them that Christ was resurrected.Easter since then and will be the third day - the day of Christ's resurrection.
Going into the tomb, women are seen in the words of the angel and told the news to the Apostles.And they reported the good news to everyone.All believers and unbelievers should have known that the impossible happened, something happened as Jesus said - Christ is risen.
Easter traditions of different countries
In many countries believers paint eggs and bake cakes.Recipes large variety of cakes and in different countries, they also differ in shape.Of course, not the essence of Easter, but it is the tradition that accompanies the holiday for many centuries.
in Russia, Bulgaria and Ukraine "beat" colored eggs.
Greece Friday preceding Easter, working hammer and nails is considered a great sin.At midnight on Saturday, after a solemn service, when the priest proclaims, "Christ is Risen!", The night sky illuminates the grand fireworks display.
in the Czech Republic on Monday following the Easter Sunday, the girls beat the lashes as a compliment.And they can throw the young man with water.
Australians make chocolate Easter eggs and figurines of various animals.
Ukrainian Easter eggs are called "Easter eggs."Babies give pure white egg, as a symbol of their long and light of life.A seniors - dark eggs with a complex pattern, a sign that their lives were a lot of difficulties.
Easter in Russia brings light and wonder in the homes of believers.Consecration of Easter eggs are often credited with miraculous powers.On Sunday morning when washing hallowed egg placed in a basin of water, and each family member should wash them, rubbing his cheeks and forehead.
Red easter egg has a special symbolism.In Greece, red - the color of mourning.Red eggs symbolize the tomb of Jesus, and broken - open the tomb and the Resurrection.
Signs Easter
Every nation has its own unique signs associated with this day.Modern people do not always believe in them, but it is interesting to know about.
Some peoples is considered a good omen on Easter night swim in the source and bring this water to the house.
the eve of Easter in restoring order houses, cook, bake, but in many countries is considered a sin to work on Saturday.Poland signs prohibit work on Easter Friday the hosts, otherwise the whole village will be left without a crop.
