skip to: page content | links on this page | site navigation | footer (site information)

The Russian Easter Celebration

What Easter Eggs Are Really All About

Map of Russia.http://www.efcer.org/images/missions/countries/maps/large/russia-lm.gif

 

Abstract

The Greek Orthodox Russian Easter celebration has many different religious aspects.   The celebration follows a week after the Jewish holiday, Passover.   Orthodox Easter has been interpreted in various ways by other religions. The meaning of the Orthodox Easter and significance of egg decoration has changed over time.   The concept of egg decorating is interpreted differently in today's society and culture. Ukrainians believed that by decorating the eggs, great powers were embodied in the egg.   The egg symbolizes the release of earth from winter to the coming of spring.

Top

  Painting of Czar Alexander III (1886), by Ivan Kramskoi (1837-1887), original, 41 x 36 in.

One of the many elaborate scenes painted on the Ukranian Egg

http://www.russian-classics.com/s/img/8_egg_2.jpg.

Alexander the III of Russia.  Presented his wife with the decorated egg, which she enjoyed so much, as a result, was made custom to give the decorated eggs during Easter.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_III_of_Russia

Introduction

  Culture is expressed in part through customs, rituals, and ceremonies.   The most important celebration in Russian culture falls a week after the Jewish holiday, Passover.   The Russian Orthodox Easter dates back 5 thousand years to the Judaic time marking the start of the harvest.   As in many Christian cultures, Easter marks the resurrection of Christ.   Despite the fact that many Russians today fail to follow the religious ceremonies of the Easter holiday, there are still a selected few older members of society that participate in the 40-day fast which restricts the consumption of meats and eggs.   Such foods are permitted back into the diet on Palm Sunday. Though many associate egg painting with the Easter celebration, most people fail to recognize the significance behind the decorative eggs ( Russian Crafts 1998-2004:2). In Russian culture, the “egg” has always been an object of religious significance, which represents the resurrection of Christ as well as feelings of joy and happiness. Today, even in Russian culture the attitudes about the Russian celebration have become much more lax.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Top

Context of [Russia]

 

Russia, the world's largest country, has a very diverse geography. Russia is located within Northeast Asia, between Europe and the North Pacific Ocean.   Russia's major bordering body of water is the Artic Ocean.   Russia is known for it's unfavorable climate.   Despite Russia's large size, the country lacks proper soil for planting and always changing climates, either being too cold or too dry. Much of the country experiences humid continental weather. Most commonly hitting the southern Steppes through much of European Russia.   The winters vary from cool temperatures along the Black Sea coast to frigid temperatures in Siberia.   Summers in Russia tend to be warmer in the Steppes and cool along the Artic coast.   Russia is very large in size, so large in fact that it is 1.8 times the size of the United States (Kidport 1998-2004:1)

Since Russia was declared a sovereign state in June 1990, Boris Yeltsin became Russia's first democratically elected President, after the first competitive election in the Soviet Union since 1917.   In order to ensure the unity of the nation, a Union Treaty was signed by Gorbachev as well as leaders from 9 Soviet Republics.   After an attempted coup d' etat took place, Gorbachev soon resigned from his position as General Secretary of the Communist Party.   The year 1992 marked a turning point in Russian history.   Steps were taken in order to provide economic reforms, such as, freeing of prices on sold goods.   Yeltsin took action towards the government as well.   The Legislative branches remaining from the Soviet Era were soon removed from the Russian Government system.    Yeltsin continued making reforms to better the Russian economy and way of life.   He carried out such plans to “overhaul taxation, housing and welfare, restore central control over head strong regional leader, and curb the power of Russian monopolies” ( Ziegler & Partner 2003: 4 ).

Founded in the 12 th century after cutting ties with the Mongolian control, the Romanov Dynasty was later renamed the Russian Empire, after conquering land from the Baltic Sea.   This new Russian empire continued to expand its boundaries, later with acquired land in Europe and Asia.   Russia, in 1917, was taken over by, communist, Vladimir Lenin, which would later create the U.S.S.R.   Russia encountered its share of brutal rulers.   Josef Stalin, whom came to power in 1928, was willing to do whatever it took to increase Russian dominance. Stalin took the lives of over 10 million Soviets.   Russia has been trying to branch off from the harsh communist rule of Vladimir Putin, with attempts at establishment of a more democratic country (Beard 1996: 5).

 

 

Top

Origins of Russian Orthodox Easter

The Easter celebration has more than one meaning behind its name.   Easter was first to believe to have received its name from the Hebrew word, “Pesach,” meaning Passover.   Other historians believe that it comes from the ancient Norsemen's word, “Eostor,” “Eastar,” or “Ostar,” all meaning “season of the growing sun,” and “season of new birth” (Weiser 1952: 1). The Venerable Bede, (672-735 CE .) a Christian scholar believed that the word Easter dated back to the pre-Christian times.   Worshipped by the Anglo-Saxons, the Teutonic Goddess of dawn and springtime, represented by a hare, was thought to be the source of the word Easter.   The art of egg painting originated in Russia during the 17 th century Czar regime.   Despite such varying view and beliefs on the origin of the word, all scholars have reached a general conclusion, accepting that Easter refers to the East and the rising son, the interpretation of a season represented by that of a goddess.   (Robinson 1999-2003: 1).

 

Top

Performance

              This Ukrainian method of egg decoration has a history dating back thousands of years.   The symbols and colors used on the eggs are more than just an intricate design; they are rich in meaning as well (Kozlowski:1997).   Many dated prior to the arrival of Christianity, but due to syncretism, the eggs have now had Christian interpretations layered on the already present design.

              Red, black, and golden yellow are the primary colors used on the eggs.   The color red represents the blood of Christ.   When the eggs are cracked open, people believe that the blood of Christ cleanses them.   A symbol of purity making them “white as snow.”   Dyes are created by the use of onion peels gathered in advance.   The color of the peel from the type of onion determines the shade of the dye. ( Russian Crafts 1998-2004:2) The method called, “in a speck,” requires wet eggs to be rolled on dry rice, wrapped tightly in gauze. ( Russian Crafts) Then eggs are then boiled in a drying solution and greased with sunflower oil as a finial touch.   The finished product has an all over speckled look on the original crisp white of the shell.   Other egg dying methods require the use of wax.   The wax is melted and applied with a sharp tool, similar to a pen.   The egg is then dyed in the various colors.   Afterwards the now hardened wax must be melted off the egg to expose the design.   This proves to be a very tedious task due to the possibility of burning the egg with the flame when trying to melt the wax.      

              Other than the practice of egg decoration, a special sweet, yeast bread, rich in eggs is prepared for the celebration.   The bread is a symbolic of Christ himself, who is our “True Bread”(Visson 23:2003).   The bread is baked as a round load with a symbolic of Christ, such as a braided cross.   In order to attend the all night church service and candle lit vigil, all preparation begins the week before to be certain that the feast will be complete, upon return from the Church service.

Top

Artifact

 

 

BRAMA, Inc. © 1998

 

 

© 1999-2004 ArtUkraine.com

.

Top

Interpretation

Top

Prognosis for Orthodox Easter

The Orthodox Easter celebration used to be focused on the emergence of new life after a long cold winter.   Rituals consisted of songs, group dances, the baking of special breads, burning fires, and coloring eggs.   Of these rituals, the practice of coloring eggs is the most well known. Eggs used to be decorated with intricate patterns symbolizing the new birth of the season.   Colors played a significant role as well, with red representing the blood of Christ. In American culture eggs are still decorated but often devoid of the true meaning.     Ukrainian egg decorating has expanded into American culture as well (About 2004: 2).  

              The Ukrainian Easter celebration has been taking place since 988 A.D; during that time the celebration has taken on various meanings and practices.   The celebration has not ceased over the years, but modifications have been made in the actual celebration.   The meaning has not changed, but the practices have.

 

Top

Conclusion

The Greek Russian Orthodox Easter is a religious ceremony celebrating the resurrection of Christ.   There are many aspects to the celebration.   During the seven-day Holy Week, meats and animal products are prohibited in the diet.   Other material items are forbade to be used as well, in conjuncture to the respect and celebration of Christ.   Many traditions, dating back more than 5 thousand years to the start of the Orthodox Easter, still play a predominant role in the celebration today.   Since 988 A.D when the Ukrainians accepted the practice of Christianity. the Easter egg has been a symbol of the purification of Christ.   Though out generations and cultures where Easter is celebrated the symbolism of the egg has taken on different meanings. For example, American and even Russian cultures have transformed the Ukrainian egg from a religious symbol to a decorative accent to a child's Easter basket.  

Top

Internet References Cited

Top

Peer-Reviewed References Cited

  • Goldstein, Darra. A Taste of Russia : A Cookbook of Russian Hospitality. © 1999 Russia Life Books, Montpelier , VT.

    The book highlighted many aspects of typical Russian meals

     

    Kozlowski, Lawrence G. Easter Eggs…Polish Style and Two hundred and One Egg Patterns. © 1997

  • This book depicted many intricate and symbolic Ukrainian Eggs.

    Peters, Ted. Resurrection: Theological and Scientific Assesments. © 2002. Wm. B Ferdmans. Grand Rapids, MI Publishing Co.

    This book was very religious, highlighting the Resurrection of Christ

     

    Visson, Lynn. The Complete Russian Heritage Cookbook. © October 2003.

    This book talked of traditional and everyday Russian meal preparations.

     

    Ware, Timothy. Christian Orthodoxy, The Orthodox Church. © May 1993, Publisher: Penguin USA

    This book talked about the religious celebration that took place within the Orthodox Church.

    Weiser, Francis X, Handbook of Christian Feasts and Customs (New York: Harcourt, Brace & World, Inc., 1958), p. 211. Copyright 1952

    This book talked of the preparations of the feast and the meaning behind the foods.

     

Top

Contact Jim Aimers | ©2004 Miami University