Easter is called Paskha in Russian. It comes from Jewish word Pasque which means Passing with Christ to the other life. Easter Sunday is a very happy and holy occasion for Russian Orthodox Christians.

Orthodox Easter Day in Russia is celebrated based on Julian calendar. It often differs from Easter date according to Gregorian calendar that Western Christians follow and this year, the holiday falls more than a month after the celebrations in the Catholic world.

Maslenitsa

The fasting begins with Maslenitsa. This is also known as Cheesefare Week, Butter Week, or Pancake week is a Russian religious and folk holiday. It is celebrated during the last week before Great Lent—that is, the seventh week before Easter. Maslenitsa signals the coming of the fast.

 Great Lent

For 40 days before Easter many Russians observe the Great Lenten fast in which no meat, meat products, milk, eggs, alcohol or oil is consumed in meals. This tradition which is marked by all the Orthodox churches worldwide calls believers to prayer and repentance and is a small picture of the isolation and plain diet which Christ experienced during the 40 day period prior to his resurrection.

Willow Sunday

The Sunday before Easter is called Willow Sunday and people collect willow branches, get them blessed in the church and keep them at home. Easter signifies not only a holy time but the beginning of the spring after long winter. 

Russian Easter Service

The Russian Easter service may be attended even by those families who do not regularly attend church.

Russian Easter service is held Saturday evening. Midnight serves as the high point of the service, at which point bells are rung and the priest says, "Christ has risen!" The congregation replies, "He has truly risen!"

Easter Delights 

Russian Easter foods include Kulich (Russian Easter Bread), Paskha (dish made of cottage cheese, raisins and nuts) and eggs. The Russian Easter egg tradition dates back to pre-Christian times when people considered eggs as fertility symbols and as devices of protection. In Christian tradition red coloured eggs symbolize the blood of Christ.