Majority Orthodox Christian Romania is preparing for the greatest feast in Christendom, Easter
Like every year, Easter, the greatest feast in Christendom, which the majority Orthodox Romanians always look forward to, overshadows everything else going on at the moment. The usual political scandals and almost daily social protests we've seen recently will die out for a few days to make room for prayer, introspection, generosity and, last but not least, celebration.
The Church says Easter is a time for love, peace and joy. The Romanians are thus called upon to help the orphans, the lonely elderly and the helpless sick, in other words all those in need and sorrow. On Saturday night, many people will be attending the special services held in most churches and monasteries across the country and in Orthodox churches abroad. At midnight, the priest will greet the news of Christ's resurrection by proclaiming "Christ is risen!" and the congregation will respond "Truly He is risen!".
Betrayed by Judas, one of his 12 apostles, Christ is tried for blasphemy by the Jewish religious authorities. His conviction is, however, a political act, as the Roman authorities of the day decide to crucify him for his alleged attempt to undermine the state. Jesus dies on the cross in terrible pain, is put in his grave, but rises from the dead on the third day. His death does not therefore mean entry into nothingness, but into the divine light of the Father.
In fact, on Saturday night, the priest invites people to get Holy Light by lighting a candle. This light, considered a miracle of Orthodox Christianity, is brought over all the way from Jerusalem, where it descends every year on Holy Saturday from 12.30 to 14.30. A fire ignites in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, descending on the tomb where Jesus was placed now more than 2,000 years ago. The Patriarch of Jerusalem lights two bunches of 33 candles and then starts distributing the Holy Light to the congregation and the religious delegates who will then deliver it back to their countries.
94% of Romanians say they celebrate Easter, with 87% of them saying they will attend the Saturday night service. For most of them, Easter is also about enjoying a good meal, so the week before Easter is spent making the final culinary preparations. Women dye the Easter eggs red and make the special sweet dishes called "paska" and "cozonac". Lamb roast and wine are also part of the Easter meal, which brings families together. Many Romanians who work and live abroad return to Romania for the Easter holidays to be with their loved ones. Others spend Easter in the mountains, at the seaside and even on a mini-holiday abroad.
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