(no subject)

[pull-us-through.livejournal.com]

hey,

just wondering what the russian celebration of easter is... tradition, foods, etc. also, anyone know of celebrations in the chicago area?

spasibo vsem

Comments

[neek86.livejournal.com]

They paint eggs and bake kulichi - cake with raisins.

[kvanti.livejournal.com]

Also there's Easter Cake or Paskha (A Russian dessert made from curd or cream and traditionally served at Easter). It can be made with pistachio nuts and looks like this: http://www.cooking-book.ru/pics/sbs/fistpasha/rec.jpg

The eggs can be not only painted, but decorated.
http://shkolazhizni.ru/img/content/i10/10420.jpg
http://shkolazhizni.ru/img/content/i0/479.jpg

[ashalynd.livejournal.com]

It is interesting that in English, there is Good Friday. In Russian, there is Страстная Пятница (~Suffering / Passionate Friday).

I was always wondering why it is so in English/Dutch. A couple of days ago my son explained me (he learned it from school) that the Friday is good because Christ relieved the people of their sins, and that was good. I have to confess it never occured to me to look at this event at that angle... an interesting example of Western way of thinking versus Russian/Eastern one :)

The name of this day in Russian reminds the people about the suffering of Christ, rather than about the good things that followed as a result. For the religious people, Friday is the day of mourning. On Sunday, people start celebrating, and they eat painted eggs, kulichi (куличи) and paskha (пасха) - a dish made from cottage cheese. Some people also take the food on Sunday morning to the church to "put a blessing" on it.

[megilla.livejournal.com]

on Satarday morning. the food should be blessed on sunday allready, and as far as Sunday starts at 00.00AM, you gonna have easter food already blessed, cause it's already time when you can eat it with the first minutes of Sunday. Like the NY.

[nyessax.livejournal.com]

As far as I'm aware, this is because the Western emphasis is on the Crucifixion and the Eastern emphasis is on the Resurrection as the method of salvation...so in Western services, Friday is more important.

[smartkitty-86.livejournal.com]

Devon St and California -- Russian area in Chicago. You're sure to find something there.

[wolk-off.livejournal.com]

Just any of Russian Orthodox churches. http://www.chicagodiocese.org/ Be there at midnight, Saturday to Sunday.

[oryx_and_crake]

The celebration of Easter normally takes place in the church, as Easter is a celebration of Christ's resurrection. So look up Russian Orthodox church or Orthodox Church of America churches (www.oca.org) close to your area.
Also, I don't think you should bother much about the "traditions". Easter is not a folk festival. Unfortunately, for some people Easter is a celebration of Kulich, Ham and Eggs, not the celebration of Resurrection of Christ.