Orthodox Christians celebrate Holy Easter; Orthodox priest says peace should be sought in hearts, Light of Resurrection should be shared with everyone”

Orthodox Christians celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord, the most important event in the Christian calendar. In a time marked by global crises, Father Viorel reminds believers that Easter represents “the epicenter of our faith” and the triumph of life, calling on us to make forgiveness and love fundamental pillars of the contemporary society.

The Feast of Holy Easter is considered the “feast of feasts,” with a deep meaning: “the victory of life over death, of good over evil.” According to the teaching of the Church, after He had given up His spirit on the cross, Christ descended into hell to free those held there, opening the gates of Heaven.

“We know that there are wars around us, we know that our people are inclined toward depression, toward despair. Each of us creates the peace around us, starting from within our own heart. Let us seek peace in our hearts, and this peace, this light of the Resurrection, let us share it with everyone. Christ is Risen!” Father Viorel told MOLDPRES.

In churches across Moldova, Easter services were celebrated. Priests distributed the Holy Light brought from Jerusalem, proclaiming the Resurrection of Christ. This light symbolizes the divine grace that has descended to earth, bringing hope, peace and salvation. At the end of the service, priests blessed the dishes carefully prepared and brought to church by believers.

Holy Easter is a feast beloved by all. For the older generation, Easter is lived with a special intensity that recalls the simplicity of the past.

“For me, Easter is the greatest feast of the year… it’s about peace in the soul and about forgiveness. It’s the moment when we remember God more, when we cleanse not only the house, but also the heart. On the night of the Resurrection, you seem to feel the world differently… cleaner, brighter,” says Ecaterina Rotarau.

The woman, now in her eighties, recalls with nostalgia the traditions of long ago, when the preparations were an almost sacred ritual:

“We used to dye the eggs with onion skins, not like now, with all the colors from the store. In the morning, we would wash our faces with water in which we had placed a red egg and a coin, so that we would be healthy and lucky.”

Father Viorel explains that this cleansing, recalled by the elderly, has deep roots in the 40‑day period of Easter preparation.

“The fewer sins we have, the lighter will be the cross of the Lord Christ.”

In addition to spiritual preparation, through the confession of sins, the priest also mentions the importance of material preparations: “the fasting dishes, the lit candles and this Paschal joy.”

On Easter morning, families gather around the festive table, where they knock red eggs together – a symbol of the blood of Christ shed on the cross, as well as of the tomb from which He rose. On the traditional table, there is always pasca (sweet Easter bread), cozonac (sweet loaf), and lamb roasted in the oven. The atmosphere is completed by red wine and prayers of thanksgiving for the blessings received. For mothers whose children are far from home, Easter is deeply intertwined with longing.

“The children don’t come as often as I would like… it depends on work, on the journey on money,” says Maria Craciun.

The joy of the feast is complete only when the family is reunited:

“When we manage to celebrate together, that’s the greatest joy. It’s as if the house comes to life again. I cook all sorts of dishes, the way they like them, I lay the table nicely and we don’t part from one another. That’s when it’s a true Easter.”

Even in a world that is constantly changing, Easter remains for young people a moment of rediscovery and reconnection with family values. For many of them, the Resurrection is, above all, about “warmth and peace.”

Vlada is a university student. For her, Easter is an opportunity to see her loved ones again. The young woman says that traditions are passed down through the upbringing received at home, in the family.

“I usually observe the Easter traditions because it is something that belongs to the education and culture I received from my family. Although many young people do not go to church frequently, in their hearts, at Easter there is a lot of warmth and peace,” Vlada says.

Easter is also a time for reflection and spiritual renewal. Believers are encouraged to forgive, correct their wrongs and live in harmony with people around them. The feast recalls the sacrifice and offering of Christ, giving everyone the opportunity to rediscover the meaning of faith and to live according to Christian values.

Author: Veronica Doni