When is Orthodox Easter and what is its story?

Orthodox Easter, celebrated by Orthodox Christians following the Julian calendar, offers a unique and fascinating perspective on the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

This holiday is known as "Pascha," the Hebrew word for "Passover," and is celebrated on a different date from Western Easter, enriching the festivities and providing an opportunity for deeper connections to one's religious roots.

Credit: Anastasiia Stiahailo

The origins of Orthodox Easter can be traced back to the early days of Christianity when the first Easter took place. According to the Bible, Jesus was crucified during the Jewish holiday of Passover and was resurrected three days later; the resurrection is what Easter Sunday celebrates.

There were disagreements over the date of Easter as the Western and Eastern Churches celebrated the occasion on different dates. This conflict eventually led to a split between the churches in 1054, known as the Great Schism.

This split ultimately branched into two divisions of Christianity: Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox, both of which share many traditions and observances when it comes to Easter celebrations.

After the Schism, the Eastern Orthodox continued to celebrate Easter according to the Julian calendar, which was 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar used by the Western Church. Western Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox, and accounting for the calendar difference, Orthodox Eastern tends to fall between April 4 and May 8.

In 2023, Orthodox Easter will be celebrated on Sunday, April 16.

Aside from commemorating the resurrection of Jesus, which serves as the cornerstone of Christianity, the holiday represents the triumph of life over death and good over evil. Jesus’ resurrection is often viewed as a victory over sin and death, thus bestowing a new life for his believers.

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The week leading up to Orthodox Easter is commonly termed “Holy Week” and is full of religious observances. Palm Sunday marks the start of the week, with the faithful carrying palm branches or other local trees to commemorate Jesus’ victorious entry into Jerusalem.

Holy Thursday is the day of the Last Supper when Jesus gathered with his disciples to share the Passover meal. Communion is a crucial element of Holy Thursdays, and certain churches may serve special bread and wine to mark the occasion. The Service of the Twelve Gospels is held in the evening, during which twelve Gospel passages are read.

Holy Friday, marked by the crucifixion of Jesus, witnesses the reading of the Passion Gospels in the afternoon before Holy Saturday—when a midnight service called the Resurrection Matins is held to joyously celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, marked by the lighting of candles and singing of hymns.

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Many Orthodox Christians fast for 40 days before Pascha as a form of spiritual preparation, referencing the days Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness before beginning his public ministry. During this fasting period, Orthodox Christians abstain from certain foods, pleasures, or habits to purify the soul and discipline themselves to be more aware of others’ needs.

In many Orthodox countries, Easter eggs are dyed in bright colours to represent the new life accompanying Jesus’ resurrection. More often than not, they are dyed red to symbolise the blood of Christ, and these eggs can be given as gifts.

Orthodox Easter also sees its share of feasting and delicious food following the midnight service, including roasted lamb, sweet breads called Pascha or Kulich, and cheese, though the spread certainly varies by region.

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Read more: 10 Baby animals who are excited for Easter

Read more: 10 Unusual Easter traditions from around the globe

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