Orthodox Russian Women and Men Prepare for Easter

This year the Orthodox Easter coincides with Western Easter, both fall on April 8^th. But in the Russian Orthodox tradition, preparation for the day begins earlier in the week.

This Thursday is “Clean Thursday” in which you begin the cooking and baking of holiday dishes. It is also the time to clean your house and burn juniper branches to clear the winter air. The salt for the Easter food is also prepared at this time by wrapping it in a cloth and baking it. It is then ground and sifted. Finally, on Thursday night, a service of the 12 Gospel readings takes place. People leave the service with a burning candle and take it home to take the light around the house.

The strictest day of Lent is Friday. It is traditionally spent quietly with the dough for the kulich rising before it goes in the oven later that night. The kulich is a tall cylinder shaped cake and comes in many styles and sizes.

Eggs also play an important role in the festivities as both a food item and as a source for entertainment. There are dyed eggs and pysanka eggs. Perhaps the most famous of the Russian Easter egg tradition are the Faberge eggs, which are elaborately decorated and considered to be works of art.

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