PÂQUE ORTHODOXE

It is the most important Christian holiday in Moldova. Every year, the days of celebration are different and are announced by the Church. The faithful go to the church on the evening before Easter. Prayers are recited until midnight, then the church lights are turned off and the priest comes out of the altar (where the tomb of Christ is symbolically located in Orthodox churches) with candles saying: Hristos a înviat! ("Christ is risen!"), the faithful respond: Adevărat a înviat! ("He is truly risen!"). These expressions will be used as a greeting in the weeks that follow. A procession then proceeds around the church and blessings are made. On Easter morning, the faithful bring food to be blessed, it is the end of Lent. Big meals are held and families visit each other. A week later, the Monday following the celebration of Easter is marked by a day when Moldovans visit the graves of their dead. In some cemeteries, a small table and benches allow families to gather to spend a whole day in memory of their deceased ancestors. Food is brought and the dead are remembered. Easter is an important time of the year. In the great monasteries like Curchi, Hîncu, Saharna or Căpriana, they give rise to magnificent liturgies and songs. These celebrations of the resurrection of Christ gather hundreds of pilgrims.