Easter or Resurrection Sunday is considered the most significant feast of the church year and in the whole history of Christianity. Easter is preceded by Lent that lasts for 40 days. In the period, the people do not eat meat, fish, eggs and dairy products and fast spiritually too. On Easter night, the Orthodox Christian go to church to take communion, to take holy fire and to bless the Easter bread and red painted eggs.

Contacted by IPN, priest Eugen Onicov, of the Chisinau Church “Saint Pantelimon”, said that this feast is very important for the Orthodox Christians. In this connection, the priest reminded the words of Saint Apostle Paul, who said: “And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain”.

According to Eugen Onicov, the Easter service is special. It begins at midnight, when God returned to life and rose. On Easter, the people take red painted eggs, Easter cakes and bread to church to have them blessed. In some of the communities, they also bless the Easter lamb that symbolizes the Son of God who sacrificed himself and saved those who have faith in Jesus Christ.

Since the Resurrection night until the Ascension, the people greet each other with “Jesus is risen!” and the answer is “He is risen indeed!”

The week after Easter is called the White Week, when the faithful no longer fast.