Easter is the most important holiday in the Greek Orthodox Church. Compared to Western Easter, Orthodox Easter is in no way commercialized by chocolate, Easter bunnies or pastel colors. Rather, it is a festivity deeply rooted in tradition filled with church, lamb and red dyed eggs. In the Orthodox tradition, eggs are a symbol of new life. Early Christians used eggs to symbolize the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which thus signifies the rebirth of all believers. The Orthodox custom is to dye Easter eggs a deep red color. The red represents life, victory and the blood of Jesus Christ.
Why is Orthodox Easter celebrated on a different day? To put it simply, the date you celebrate Easter on depends entirely on the calendar your religious affiliation follows. Western churches use the Gregorian calendar, which is the standard calendar for much of the world. However, Orthodox churches follow the older, Julian calendar. By following the Julian calendar, Orthodoxy prohibits Easter from being celebrated before or at the same time as Passover. Sometimes (like in 2014), the Gregorian and Julian calendar align and both Easters are celebrated on the same day.
Many people practicing the orthodox faith, fast for 40 days before Easter. Of these 40 days, one week is a complete fast – where no meat, dairy, fish or poultry dishes are prepared or consumed.
Easter is the most important holiday in Orthodox church. It is a a powerful, beautiful, mysterious, humbling, healing and moving holly week. It is filled with tradition and ritual. It is about renewal and faith. Xristos Anesti! Alithos Anesti!
