The most difficult thing on the day before Easter is to keep your soul trembling and calm. The bustle of consecrating Easter cakes and colored eggs, cleaning the apartment and preparing the festive meal. In the evening you just want to sit down at the table and celebrate. Therefore, the Charter suggests spending this day in church and listening to the reading of the book of the Acts of the Holy Apostles. Most churches actually read the Acts. The day turns into very late evening, and believers gathering for festive services are greeted by the bright red festive decoration of the church.

Easter. Artist Y. Kuzenkova.

Passover is celebrated at midnight procession. But first they read the canon that they have already heard, the same one popularly called “The Wave of the Sea...”. Then the priest (or priests and deacons) go to the altar. There is some joyful bustle (those who are at an Easter service not for the first time know, it is connected with the fact that the people distribute roles during the religious procession: who will go with a lantern, who with banners. But the temple falls silent. From the altar you can hear singing: “Thy Resurrection “Christ the Savior Angels are singing in heaven,” the priest and those with him appear in white vestments and go out into the street. In front of the priest they carry a lantern, banners, icons and a cross from the altar, followed by the choir, and all the praying people with candles (according to tradition, candles. on Easter - red). Everyone must leave the temple and its doors are closed. The procession goes around the temple and stops in front of its closed doors, as if in front of the burial cave of Christ.

And then the moment happens that they have been waiting for all year (and they fast, perhaps, for the sake of this moment of spiritual happiness). The priest sings the Easter troparion three times: “Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death and giving life to those in the tombs!” Following him, the choir sings three times, the singing is picked up by everyone who came to pray that night. Then the priest sings verses (the first of them begins with the words “May God rise again...) to which everyone sings the Easter troparion. Then three times in one breath the people respond to the priest’s exclamation: “Christ is risen”! - “Truly he is risen”! The doors open, and in a joyful crowd, people enter the temple to the sound of bells, continuing to sing the troparion of Easter.

When everyone is already inside, the choir sings the Easter canon - the most joyful poetic work of church hymnography. There are words in it about how the king and prophet David “galloped before the ark of hay,” this means that he danced in front of the Ark of the Covenant, anticipating our today's fun. In general, on this night all liturgical texts are sung and just like that - “jumping while playing.”

After each song of the canon, the priest comes out of the altar, proclaims prayer requests and addresses the temple three times: “Christ is Risen!” and those praying do not tire of answering him, “Truly he is risen!” There is a tradition that is observed in many temples. After each song, the priest puts on a vestment of a different color.
The canon is finished and the stichera of Easter are sung, the backgammon is Christed, that is, everyone who is in the church greets each other: “Christ is Risen” - “Truly He is Risen” and kisses three times.

On this night, many unusual and joyful things await the worshiper. The Royal Doors both open and remain open until next Sunday. You can see everything the priest does during the Liturgy. The service of the hours, usually quite long, is replaced by the singing of the Easter hours, fast and joyful. At the Liturgy you can hear how the Gospel sounds in different languages(at this service it is supposed to be read in ancient Greek, Latin, Church Slavonic and in general in all possible dialects).

The Easter service ends with the Liturgy. At the end, a special Easter bread - artos - is blessed, pieces of which will be distributed on the Saturday following Easter.

The service ends and people go home (it happens that parishes host communal meals) to break their fast. And breaking the fast lasts all seven days following Easter...

Easter is the most important holiday for christian church. In 2016, the Resurrection of Christ will be celebrated on May 1. Believers had been preparing for this event for several weeks. And so, on Holy Saturday, it ends Lent. The largest and most solemn Easter service continues all night from Saturday to Sunday. Remembering church traditions is not difficult, especially if you understand them in advance, even before the start of the service.

Holy Saturday is the last day before Easter. Importance and Features Holy Saturday described in church literature. On the one hand, this is the day when Jesus Christ lay in the tomb, on the other, the time when the Lord’s victory over death and hell took place. In a word, death and resurrection on Holy Saturday are always remembered together.

According to the tradition of calculating the church day, Holy Saturday in Orthodoxy begins on Friday evening. During church services, a shroud decorated with flowers and an icon of Christ lying in the tomb are brought to a special raised platform in the middle of the church. The choir sings the morning canon, glorifying the Lord, who conquered death through death.

After the chants, the procession of the Cross takes place. Believers and priests, chanting “Holy God...” accompanied by the funeral ringing of bells, with lit candles in their hands, carry the shroud around the temple. After the procession of the Cross, the shroud is brought into the temple and placed in the middle of the temple.

The next very important service of Holy Saturday takes place in the morning. This is the liturgy of Basil the Great. It is considered one of the most beautiful services of the church year. Part of this Liturgy is celebrated in the center of the temple in front of the shroud.

During this service, a solemn moment occurs that is expected by the parishioners: approximately in the middle of the service, the clergy change clothes - they exchange dark, mourning clothes for light, festive vestments.

The moment when the priest in white robes reads the Gospel of the Resurrection of Christ is the most important moment of the service. This moment is especially beautiful: according to tradition, women praying during the Liturgy at this moment also change the dark scarves on their heads to light ones. From the outside it looks as if the entire temple is transformed in an instant.

After the end of the Saturday service in churches, the blessing of Easter treats - eggs and Easter cakes - takes place until the evening.

At twelve o'clock at night Orthodox churches The so-called Midnight Office is celebrated, a service at which the canon of Great Saturday is sung. At the end of this service, the priests transfer the shroud from the middle of the temple to the altar. There she will remain until the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord - in memory of the forty days of Christ’s stay on earth after His Resurrection.

When midnight comes, in the altar (for Orthodox Christians it signifies heaven), they begin to sing the stechira. They sing it three times, each time increasing the singing by one tone. This means that the destinies of mankind are revealed first in heaven, not on earth. When the singing begins for the third time, the priests leave the altar and move to the middle of the temple. When they go out into the middle of the temple, everything falls silent: both the choir and the worshipers.

And now comes the most exciting moment of Easter night. The bells begin to ring. All the people and the priesthood come out of the church for the Procession of the Cross and, singing “Thy Resurrection, O Christ the Savior...”, walk around the temple. This move symbolizes the myrrh-bearing women who came “very early to the Tomb” with aromas to anoint the body of Christ. During the procession, everyone stops once at the western gate of the temple, as if at the door of the tomb. It was here, according to the Gospel, that the myrrh-bearers learned the news of the resurrection. At this moment the bells fall silent.

The rector of the church takes the censer in his hands and envelops all the worshipers and the icons with the aroma of incense. Then he takes the cross in his free hand with a cross and stands facing east. In front of the closed gates, he draws the sign of the Cross with a censer and, greeting the parishioners: “Christ is Risen!”, begins the next festive service, Bright Matins.

The doors of the temple open and worshipers enter to take part in Easter Matins. This service continues until approximately 4 am. One of the important moments is bringing out special bread, Artos.

After the prayer behind the pulpit, Artos is placed on the lectern in front of the icon depicting the Risen Christ, who will stay here throughout Bright Week. This bread is prepared according to a special recipe, blessed with prayer and sprinkled with holy water.

Actually, this is where the Easter Liturgy ends. Joyful singing resounds in the temple, and bell ringing believers approach the Cross of the Lord. With a solemn, enlightened feeling, everyone goes home to bring their loved ones the news of the Resurrection of Christ, “Christ is Risen!”, and to hear in response the joyful: “Truly He is Risen!”

Important:

The Easter service begins exactly at 00:00, but it is better to come in advance, by 23:00. The order of the Easter service is quite strict, so you should choose comfortable and closed clothing. It is customary for women to cover their heads with a headscarf, hiding their hair. The service ends around four o'clock in the morning. It is important to defend the entire service from beginning to end; it is believed that in this way a person confirms his faith.

If you do not plan to participate in the ritual itself, but just want to join in the holiday by consecrating Easter cakes and eggs, then you can go to the temple on Saturday afternoon. The consecration of festive dishes begins on Saturday afternoon and ends on Sunday morning.

How to behave in the temple:

Before entering the church and when leaving it, it is customary to make the sign of the cross (cross yourself) three times; this must be done while facing the church.

Disable Cell phones so that calls do not distract parishioners and clergy from the service.

Be quiet, don’t talk loudly, don’t push or make trouble, even if you really want to.

During the entire service, you can (and should) repeat prayers or passages from the Gospel, if you know them. If the prayers are not familiar to you, you can stand silently and just listen to what the choir sings and what the priests read.

It is better to light candles “for health” and “for repose” before the start of the service. You can do this during the service, but try not to push the worshipers and clergy away.

Modern Easter traditions are observed by many believers, and the holiday itself is of great importance for Russian culture. There are no rich or poor in the church, and absolutely everyone can attend the festive service. Usually this celebration makes an indelible impression, leaving light and warmth in the soul of every parishioner.

Photo by Igor Glazko. News agency "Living Kuban" and from the site patriarchia.ru

Archimandrite Savva (Majuko)

My first all-night vigil spied. Our family was not a church family, but we always celebrated Easter. On Easter night, my mother, like a conspirator, went to a mysterious church service, and the morning for everyone began with breaking the fast with a Easter cake.

The day came, or rather the night, when they took me to this “gathering of conspirators.” I remember, and I feel happy and good. A sea of ​​people. Sea of ​​lights. Furious ringing of bells and incredibly noisy service. We never managed to get into the church. We celebrated the all-night vigil on the street in the company of suddenly discovered neighbors. What the priests sang there, what the choir exclaimed about - I didn’t understand a word. And for some reason my soul was very light and joyful.

But that first Easter became a real revelation about myself, because I, a person who had been accustomed since childhood to avoid people and hide from crowds, for the first time experienced the delight of being surrounded by people who for some reason were no longer strangers.

And it doesn’t matter whether we know each other, what we came for, what we believe in, I was simply happy because there are people.

The Easter service certainly takes place at night. Easter is a night among people. Easter is never personal, for yourself. Easter is for everyone. Easter is a night gathering of Christians. We come together like conspirators, bound by a terrible and funny secret. We are all tied together by one big secret - Christ is risen!

Easter service - only at night. This service can only be sustained through the night. Prayer in the frame of the night. If it’s Easter, it means a night service, prayer all night, all-night vigil. This word is so closely ingrained in Easter that most people, when they say “Easter,” mean “all-night vigil.”

However, “all-night vigil” is a technical term for the liturgical regulations. This word denotes a type of service marked by special solemnity. All-night vigils are supposed to be celebrated every week, for example, on Saturday evening, as well as on the eve of great holidays.

The word “all-night vigil” is one of my favorite church words. It stands on a par with the words “midnight office”, “matins”, “compline”, or, in the old way, “evening service”. Once upon a time, the All-Night Vigils actually served all night, the Midnight Offices were celebrated at midnight, and Matins were sung at dawn. Times have changed, and the words “candied” have turned into liturgical terms that have little to do with the time of day. And the “fresh” parishioners are perplexed when they come to the service: it seems that they announced an all-night vigil, but prayed for some three hours...

And only the Easter service is truly an all-night vigil.

If you have memorized the Easter troparion

The Easter service is the simplest of church services. True, this incredible secret is known only to experts in divine services. The rest can only spy at Easter for Christians, remaining strangers, which should not happen on a holiday for everyone. The All-Night Vigil is one of the spiritual exercises that can only be done by everyone together.

Do our spiritual exercises stop at Easter? No. The emphasis is simply shifting somewhat. Easter is a sacrament of unity, a holiday of unity.

One of the simplest and at the same time most difficult spiritual exercises is the art of praying together, “with one heart and one mouth.”

The highest level is prayer “with one heart” - the experience of genuine, deep unity in God with each of our neighbors and with everyone together. It's very high. This sacrament is not revealed to everyone, but everyone must go to it, be ready to accept this gift. However, praying “with one mouth” is an exercise that everyone can do.

The Easter Vigil is the best occasion to immerse yourself in prayer “with one mouth,” but this spiritual exercise requires some preparation.

Even those who spied all-night vigil, the patterns of the Easter service are known. Firstly, the prayer is constantly interspersed with a joyful roll call:

- Christ is Risen!

- He is truly risen!

Secondly, most During the service everyone sings a short prayer:

“Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and giving life to those in the tombs.”

The meaning of this text is clear even to inattentive spies. This is the troparion of the holiday of Easter. Troparion is the name given to the main chant of one or another church holiday, a kind of “calling card” of the liturgical event. Most often, these are small chants that should be known by heart and must be sung by the whole temple.

If you have already memorized the Easter troparion, consider yourself almost ready to go to the all-night vigil. Almost. Because there will be something else at this service.

The Easter service opens with the reading of the Midnight Office with the canon of Holy Saturday. At approximately midnight, the Procession of the Cross begins, which goes around the temple and stops at the closed church doors, symbolizing the stone at the entrance to the burial cave of Christ. Here the abbot loudly proclaims:

“Glory to the Holy and Consubstantial and Life-Giving and Indivisible Trinity, always, now and ever and unto ages of ages.”

The choir, and with it the whole people, sings “Amen.” And here the priests begin to sing the troparion of Easter for the first time, and sing it three times. In response, the choir, and therefore all those praying, repeat the same troparion after the priests three times. In general, the entire Easter service is woven from these countless, but not tiring, roll calls. This is a prayerful dialogue from which no one can escape, not a single cry can go unanswered.

The priests pick up the Easter verses “May God rise again,” there are four of them, and each people responds with the singing of a troparion, and the priests and banner bearers move for each verse in order to find themselves on the new side of the world with the singing of the next troparion. After the verses, the priests sing “Glory,” that is, “Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,” and they are answered with a troparion. The clergy drags out “And now,” that is, “And now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen,” and again the troparion. After which the roll call changes finishing singing: the priests sing the first half of the troparion, the people finish singing after them, and everyone enters the temple.

What has just happened is called the beginning of Easter Matins. Entering the church, the deacon says a peaceful litany, and this is also a well-known roll call: people answer the petitions of the litany, “Lord, have mercy.” Therefore, we do not stop, we continue to pray with “one mouth” and one breath.

After the litany it will be more difficult, because the singing of the Easter canon begins. The canon is short. It is not read, but sung, and this is the peculiarity of the Easter service: everything is sung, only Scripture is read. This means that you need to stock up on the text of the canon and sing along with the choir, especially since the melody is very simple and playful, and the text is easy to remember. By next Easter you will be singing by heart.

While singing the canon, the priests continuously rush around the temple with censers, shouting “Christ is Risen.” Of course, you answer, but don’t forget to sing the canon – it’s very comforting.

The canon ends unexpectedly quickly with the singing of the luminary “Flesh Asleep,” after which the priests again pick up the Easter poems already known to us. But this time the choir, and therefore you and me, responds not with the troparion, but with the stichera of Easter, and they should also be learned by heart, for which you will just need to attend several services on Bright Week.

After the Easter stichera, the Catechetical Word of St. is read. John Chrysostom, two litanies sound, and Easter Matins is over. What a simple service! It's strange that someone could get confused by it.

After Matins they sing Easter clock. This is a small collection of short and encouraging texts that are sung not only in church, but also at home instead of morning and evening prayers. Need I mention that they should not only be sung with the choir, but also known by heart?

The Liturgy begins after the clock, and the beginning of this service is the same as the beginning of Matins after the Procession of the Cross. All repeats.

The rite of the liturgy for Easter retains its usual structure. But you should be prepared for some great moments. First of all, the altar doors remain open throughout the service. They do not close between services, and so on throughout Bright Week. I really like this, especially since the symbolism of this action is clear even to those who are not “spoiled” by theology.

The moment that many are waiting for is the famous and unique reading of the Gospel in different languages. It really is extraordinarily beautiful and comforting. Together with the incessant censing, running around the temple, shouting “Christ is risen,” this reading symbolizes the breadth and comprehensiveness of the Easter sermon of the apostles.

And in this reading one hears a justification of any language, an apology for the churchliness of every people, because the Lord is ready to entrust His great secrets to every language and tribe. This is a small incarnation of God, when the Eternal Word is embodied in the verbal flesh that every people gives Him, making God their own, becoming their own to God.

You also need to know the Father of the Easter by heart, which will not be difficult for you, since we already sang the irmos “Shine, shine” at the Easter canon.

That's all. Very simple. But how much joy and consolation there is to be at Easter his, not to “spy on someone else’s freedom,” but to join oneself in the united prayerful breath of the Church. And for those who breathe the same breath with the Church, something more will be revealed.

What did Chrysostom say?

The Easter Vigil gives believers the experience of praying “with one mouth,” one of the most beautiful and accessible church consolations. However, on Holy Week we joined the spiritual exercise of “purifying meanings” and acquired the skill of contemplating the Passion. The experience of contemplation is not interrupted in the Easter of the Resurrection.

Easter of the Cross contemplated Christ's Passion.

Easter of the Resurrection peers into the mystery of Life conquering death. The subject of contemplation of Easter days is “Abundant Life”, shining from the grave. But this is not just a matter of contemplation. We partake of Life itself in the Chalice of Communion. The Body of Christ becomes our body, His Blood flows into our veins.

At the very center of Easter is the Chalice of the Eucharist. In the Eucharist we partake of true Life, so it is impossible to imagine the Easter service without communion. Communion is the most important moment of the Easter service.

It is not the Easter hymns, not the Procession of the Cross, not the reading of the Gospel in tongues, not the blessing of Easter cakes that make Easter Easter, but the Eucharist, without which all these wonderful moments of the service do not achieve their goal.

Preparation for Lent began under the sign of the Easter meal. Remember the parable of the prodigal son. It ends with a meal, for which the fattened calf is killed. Therefore, the parable of the Prodigal Son is actually a parable about the Eucharist, about the last and never-ending feast of the Kingdom, to which each of us is called. This is not a feast for everyone personally. Easter is a holiday for everyone. Therefore, the parable of the publican and the Pharisee, and the prodigal son, and the description Last Judgment, and many other stories that we went through during Great Lent - about the meal that we must share not just with God, but also with the people who are nearby. However, I did not invite them to this feast and it is not my desire that determines with whom the Lord will sit me for this mysterious meal of eternity.

The Easter service closes the circle of images and signs that we contemplated during Great Lent. Helping to put all these images together is the Catechetical Word of St. John Chrysostom, which has been read on Easter night for centuries.

You should be prepared to read and listen to this important text. And even if you know the Scriptures well, still, when going to the Easter all-night vigil, re-read the parable of the workers in the vineyard from the twentieth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew.

“The kingdom of heaven is like a master who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. And having agreed with the workers for a denarius per day, he sent them into his vineyard” (Matthew 20:1).

This is how the parable begins. The owner goes to the market at the third hour, at the sixth, ninth and finally at the eleventh, and each time he hires workers who go to cultivate the grapes. In the evening, the steward, by order of the owner, pays everyone a denarius, starting with those who came later than everyone else. The workers of the first hour complain: “These last labored for one hour, and you made them equal to us, who endured the hardship of the day and the heat” (Matthew 20:11). How these words resemble the insult of the “right” brother from the parable of the prodigal son! But unlike the meek father of this parable, the owner gives the offended workers a harsh rebuke:

“Take yours and go; I want to give this last one the same as I give you. Don't I have the power to do what I want? Or is your eye envious because I am kind?” (Matt. 20:14-15).

And only after this Gospel story can one listen to Chrysostom, who begins not with the theology of Easter, not with the revelation of mysterious meanings, but with a call to participate in the meal, because one should immerse oneself in Easter not theoretically, but experientially:

He who is pious and God-loving, let him enjoythis beautiful and bright celebration.
Let him who is a prudent servant rejoice and enter into the joy of his Lord.
He who has labored while fasting, let him take a denarius today.
Whoever worked from the first hour, let him receive his due payment today.
Whoever came after the third hour, let him celebrate with gratitude.
Those who managed to arrive after the sixth hour should not worry at all; for nothing will be lost.
Whoever has delayed until the ninth hour, let him begin, without any doubt, without fear of anything.
Whoever managed to arrive only at the eleventh hour, let him not fear for the delay.

For the generous Master accepts the last as the first;
calms the one who came at the eleventh hour in the same way as the one who worked from the first hour;
and he has mercy on the last, and cares for the first;
and to this he gives, and to this he bestows; and accepts deeds and welcomes intentions;
and honors activity, and praises disposition.

Chrysostom speaks of the inexpressible mercy of the Lord, who is glad to accept anyone at His feast. Chrysostom begs not to fear God, to reject fear and horror at least for this day, to forget the painful feeling of guilt that believers love to cherish, to rest from ourselves in God, to allow Him to heal our wounds, because it was not for our labors and merits that we received access to His life, but only thanks to His incomprehensible and inexplicable love for mankind.

Enter therefore into the joy of our Lord;
both the first and the second will receive a reward;
rich and poor, rejoice one with another;
you who are abstinent and careless, honor this day;
you who have fasted and those who have not fasted, rejoice now.

The meal is plentiful - be satisfied, everyone;
the calf is great, let no one go hungry;
everyone enjoy the feast of faith;
everyone, enjoy the wealth of goodness.

Let no one complain about poverty, for the common Kingdom has been revealed.
Let no one cry over sins, for forgiveness has shined from the grave.

The meal is shared. The kingdom is common. Joy is shared.

Because Easter is for everyone. This is the holiday of God the Lover of Mankind. By His life and His love we live.

Therefore, the most important thing to do on Easter is to open up to this love, life and joy, to allow yourself, at least on these days, to be holy, pure and cheerful. But do not keep this joy for yourself, but share it with others.

And how natural, when after the Easter all-night vigil all the parishioners break their fast right there in the church, all together, around their shepherd, having shared the Chalice, they share a modest Easter meal with each other. For Easter is a common meal. Easter is a holiday for everyone.

The church service on Easter is especially solemn, since it marks the main event of the year for Christians. On the saving night of the Light Christ's Resurrection It's customary to stay awake. From the evening of Holy Saturday, the Acts of the Holy Apostles are read in the church, containing evidence of the Resurrection of Christ, followed by the Easter Midnight Office with the canon of Holy Saturday.

The Easter service begins with a religious procession at midnight from Saturday to Sunday. It is advisable to arrive at the temple a little earlier. But since not all people can come to church at midnight, many churches usually have two or even three Liturgies. They usually repeat in the morning and afternoon on Sunday.

Anyone can participate in the service and bless Easter cakes, regardless of whether they are baptized. However, not baptized people you are not supposed to receive communion. Those wishing to take part in the procession must come to the temple sober. Appearing at a service while intoxicated is considered a sign of disrespect for the holiday.

Fasting ends after the end of the Divine Liturgy and communion. Annually festive service ends around 4 am. After this, believers can return home to break their fast, or, if desired, do so directly in church. For those who missed the night service, the fast ends after the end of the Liturgy that the parishioner was able to attend to receive communion.

Features of the Easter Procession

The service on Holy Saturday before Easter, which in 2018 will be on April 7, begins a few hours before midnight. The clergy are at the throne, they light candles. The same is done by people who come to church for services. The singing begins at the altar, followed by the Easter peal.

It is when the bells in the temple begin to ring that night that the procession of the Cross begins. The procession seems to be going towards the risen Jesus Christ. Always at the beginning of the move there is a person carrying a lantern, followed by a cross, the image of the Virgin Mary. The clergy walk in two rows, and the choir and all believers also perform the procession.

You walk around the temple three times, and each time you need to stop in front of its closed doors. This tradition has its own symbolism - closed doors temples are a symbol of the entrance to the cave where the Tomb of Jesus Christ was. Only after the clergyman says that Christ is Risen do the doors of the temple open.

The procession solemnly enters the temple through open doors and the service continues. This is already a festive service about the wonderful Resurrection of Christ and Easter has already arrived. A procession of the cross in any church on the eve of Easter is a must; it is a spectacular and massive event that allows you to truly feel the spirit of the holiday. On festive table It will be possible to serve snowdrift salad.

Several important rules on how to behave during the Easter service in church:

• Under no circumstances should you turn your back to the altar during the service;
• Turn off mobile phones upon entering the temple premises;
• If you take children with you, you need to make sure that they behave quietly, understand the essence of what is happening, do not run around and do not distract people;
• During the reading, the priest often crosses himself with the cross and the Gospel; it is not necessary to be baptized every time, but you must bow at such moments.
• Every believer who is at a church service must be baptized with the words: “Lord, have mercy,” “In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,” “Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
• You need to cross yourself three times when entering the temple, and also three times when leaving the temple.
• During the Easter service, it is not customary to kiss three times and give each other colored eggs; this must be done after the service is over.
• Clothing should be clean and modest. Women should not come to church wearing trousers and without covering their heads.
• It is always necessary to be baptized without gloves.
• Please also note that you are not allowed to speak loudly to each other or talk on the phone during the service.

What time will the Easter service begin at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior?

Every year Christians look forward to this great holiday. Not everyone will be able to get to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior.

Therefore, the Great Easter service can be watched in live. This year the live broadcast will be at 23.30. You can watch it on Channel One.

Video greetings on Easter

The festive Easter service may vary, just as services on ordinary days begin at their own time in each. But from everyday worship is particularly festive. There are so many Christian holidays, but the most sublime and joyful is Easter.
The service begins around 11 pm. Its main part is preceded by the Midnight Office. Priests, Apostolic Acts and the Canon of Holy Saturday. At this time, the shroud, which was carried to the middle of the temple on the eve of the holiday, is carried away until the Ascension.

If you want to go to the temple for Easter service, it is better to come early. At night on Easter, a lot of people come to church: not only deeply believers, but also those who simply want to watch. If you are late, you may not get inside the temple at all.

Soon the most impressive part of the service begins - the procession. The parishioners slowly leave the temple and, following the priests carrying banners, walk around three times. The clergy read prayers and sing troparia. The main holiday troparion is sung three times: “Christ rose from the dead, trampling down death by death and giving life to those in the tombs.”

At night, you can bless the food you brought with you. It is customary for Christians to bless colored eggs and Easter cakes. Some people also bring food that will be on the Easter table. Just don't bring alcohol! The Church does not welcome this.

Continuation of the Easter service

After the Midnight Office, the holiday continues with Matins. The culmination of the Easter service is the celebration of Christ. All clergy and parishioners congratulate each other on the Resurrection of Christ with Easter greetings. People say "Christ!" and answer “Truly he is risen!” After this, they kiss three times and exchange consecrated eggs. After this part of the festive service, many leave the temple, especially since the celebration of Christ takes place around one in the morning. But the majority of parishioners still remain, as a festive liturgy is taking place with the communion of the Blood and Flesh of Christ. Receiving Communion on Easter is considered a special grace. Therefore, no one wants to miss such a chance. Depending on how many want to receive communion, the Easter service will last for so long. As a result, it can go until the morning.