MINSK, 20 April (BelTA) – On 20 April, Eastern Orthodox believers and Catholics from all over the world celebrate the Bright Resurrection of Christ – Easter.
The Resurrection of Christ is the greatest holiday for the entire Christian world. It proclaims the triumph of light over darkness, brings endless joy and hope for eternal life. Christians believe that after the fall of Adam, the souls of all people could no longer inherit the kingdom of God, and therefore hell awaited them after death. But the Savior, who resurrected after he was crucified, atoned for the original sin and opened the way to paradise for the righteous.
The name of the holiday has to do with the Old Testament story of the liberation of the Jews from Egyptian slavery. Since apostolic times, the Easter service has been held at night. Like ancient Israel that stayed awake on the night of the Exodus from Egypt, Christians stay awake on the sacred eve of the Resurrection of Christ.
For two millennia, an inexplicable miracle has been happening on Easter: the Holy Fire has been descending in the Holy Sepulchre Church in Jerusalem. The Holy Fire ceremony is followed by Christians from all over the world who believe in the divine origin of the fire.
The Resurrection of Christ is celebrated by the Church during the entire Bright Week. This is the period of seven days beginning on Easter. In general, the celebrations continue until Ascension Day that is traditionally marked on the fortieth day of Easter. During this joyful forty-day period, believers continue to say “Christ is risen!” instead of usual greetings and respond “Indeed He is Risen!”.
On Easter Sunday, Orthodox and Catholic believers return from church in the morning and break their long fast. The Easter meal for Christians is diverse and exquisite and includes painted eggs, Easter cakes, cottage cheese, and meat. Easter cakes are baked from rich dough with the addition of nuts, raisins, and spices.
In line with an ancient tradition, on this holiday, believers exchange painted eggs that symbolize the source of eternal life. According to legend, when Mary Magdalene presented an egg to Emperor Tiberius as a symbol of the resurrection of Christ, the emperor laughed and said that a man rising from the dead was as likely as the egg turning red. At that moment, the egg turned red confirming her testimony of the resurrection.
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