Easter is the most important feast of the year. It is a day full of light on which Jesus Christ, by his return to life, offered us revival and eternal life, archdeacon Constantin Olariu, adviser at the Metropolitan Church of Bessarabia, stated for IPN. He noted that it is a moment of joy that is preceded by a long fasting period, Lent, after which we welcome God who rises from the dead.

“During the Passion Week, Jesus Christ showed that the sufferings, humiliation and pain weren’t in vain and they led to a full joy owing to the Resurrection,” said archdeacon Constantin Rusu, underlining the importance of the Easter holidays for the representatives of the Church and for the Christians and noting that the essence of the Communion can be fully felt only in church. He said that in this period, the Christians feel the physical presence of Jesus Christ during the Easter services that are different from other services and that focus on the joy of Resurrection.

The archdeacon spoke about the necessity of making a difference between the religious Easter and the commercial one that is the pursuit of any kind of Easter presences and food products. “I remember well my grandmother who always made the cross sign on the Easter bread and cakes when she was preparing them and prayed for God to bless the food that brings us joy. Now this process is a hunt for Easter purchases and presents and the people no longer enjoy the little things,” said Constantin Olariu, noting that the Easter meal should be simple, but full of spirituality so that the people do not to forget the real meaning of the Easter holidays.

According to the archdeacon, the Christians can be close to God not only by fasting and prayer, but also by rejoicing at his return to life, by bearing in mind the significance of Resurrection, by deeds and words. The return to life of Christ was prophesied by the Old Testament, which says that Jesus would be raised on the third day from the dead.