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Easter holiday U-18 MPEK MOSCOW 2025

Easter is one of the most significant holidays in the Orthodox tradition, and its celebration in Russia is filled with deep spiritual meaning and folk traditions. This day symbolizes the resurrection of Jesus Christ and comes after Lent, which lasts 40 days. Preparation for Easter begins with cleansing the soul and body, which helps believers focus on the spiritual aspects of life. Easter is one of the most significant holidays in the Orthodox tradition, and its celebration in Russia is filled with deep spiritual meaning and folk traditions. This day symbolizes the resurrection of Jesus Christ and comes after Lent, which lasts 40 days. Preparation for Easter begins with cleansing the soul and body, which helps believers focus on the spiritual aspects of life. On the eve of Easter, on Saturday, evening services are held, marching into the Easter service. At midnight, the priest proclaims: "Christ is Risen!" and the whole community responds: "Truly risen!" This moment fills our hearts with joy and hope. After the service, families gather at a festive table, where cakes, Easter and colored eggs are served. Eggs, as a symbol of a new life, are an important part of the holiday, and they are often decorated with bright patterns. Easter in Russia is not only a religious event, but also a time for family gatherings. People visit the graves of their relatives, share treats and joy. Easter celebration unites people, It strengthens the bonds between generations and fills the atmosphere with light and love. This holiday symbolizes hope for renewal and eternal life, which makes it especially significant in Russian culture. Thus, Easter remains an important part of the spiritual life of the people, preserving traditions and customs passed down from generation to generation. My family follows religious traditions, and Easter is no exception. My dad, mom, and aunt and I kept a 40-day fast. On Maundy Thursday, according to the rules, I went to church with my father and received communion, and on the night of Saturday to Sunday I went to a night service. In the morning, my family and I ate cakes and Easter eggs. We went to barbecue in the afternoon. Anastasia Efremova

Easter in Australia Easter in Australia is an important holiday that combines religious traditions and secular customs, celebrated with family and friends. Although Australia is a country with a diverse cultural heritage, the main Easter traditions are similar to those adopted in other countries of the Western world. Religious aspects: Many Australians attend church services on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. During this period, special divine services are held dedicated to the events of Holy Week and the Resurrection of Christ. Secular traditions: Easter Egg Hunting: This is a favorite pastime of children (and adults!). Chocolate eggs hidden in the garden or house are searched for by the whole family. Easter dinners: Great importance is attached to family meals. The menu is varied and often includes traditional British and Australian dishes adapted to the warmer weather. Barbecue is a popular option. Time with family and friends: Easter is a time of relaxation and meetings with loved ones. Many Australians go on picnics, to nature, to the sea. Weather: Easter falls in autumn in Australia, so the weather is usually warm and sunny, which promotes outdoor recreation. In general, Easter in Australia is a joyful holiday filled with family warmth, fun and relaxation against the backdrop of beautiful autumn nature. Victoria Maslova

Easter in the Philippines In the Philippines, Easter is celebrated as part of Holy Week. The holiday begins on Palm Sunday (Palm Sunday).  Some traditions of celebration: •Visiting churches. During Holy Week, believers visit and pray in several churches.  •The Way of the Cross. During the costumed procession, the path of Jesus Christ to Golgotha is symbolically reproduced: arrest, trial, suffering and execution.  •Theatrical performances. Families and entire parishes have been preparing for weeks for street performances, which are a dramatization of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  •The Salubong rite. It is usually celebrated in the early hours of Easter before the first Mass. In some parishes, the ceremony is performed earlier, at midnight, immediately after the long Easter vigil.  •Sale of colored eggs. During Easter week, they begin to be sold in the markets. In 2025, Good Thursday, Good Friday and Black Saturday are national holidays of the Philippines, which are scheduled for April 17, 18 and 19, respectively. Kuzubova Margarita

Willow is an important Easter symbol. Willow twigs (the Finns call it pajunkissa – palm kitten) replaced the palm branches with which the disciples paved the way for Christ to enter Jerusalem. Finns also hold a witch festival during Easter. It starts on Good Friday and continues until Sunday. It is believed that this is the time of the triumph of evil spirits. In order to protect themselves from evil spirits, sacred bonfires are lit. In Finland, it is not customary to dye eggs with onion husks or beetroot broth. Finns put drawings on eggs manually. Before Easter, you can find special sets for decorating eggs for every taste in Finnish stores. And, of course, chocolate eggs are sold everywhere, which children love so much. The Finnish Easter table is traditionally decorated with baskets of sprouted grass, eggs and chickens. In addition to eggs, Finns eat lamb (lampaanliha), black puddings (verimakkarat), pies, cheese cooked in the oven (uunijuusto) and mämmi on Easter. Mummy is a sweet toasted rye mass with malt, vaguely resembling a pie. Most often, mummies are eaten with sugar, cream, or vanilla sauce. Easter is one of the most beloved and bright holidays in our family. We choose one of the days off before the holiday to spend it together. We involve all family members in the process: everyone makes their own contribution. First, we boil the eggs and cool them, and then we start creating. The contest for the best colored egg becomes an invariable part of our process. Our culinary tradition of making cakes is also an integral part of the holiday. On the evening before Easter, the whole family gathers in the kitchen. Mom is always assigned this task, but the others are willing to help. We make the dough according to a family recipe that was passed down from my grandmother to my mother, and now to me. Kutnova Varvara

Smykova Nina

Easter in America is a vibrant tapestry woven from religious observance and secular celebration.  For many Christians, the holiday centers around church services, often incorporating modern music and styles to engage younger generations.  Yet, even those less religiously inclined participate in the festive atmosphere.  The iconic Easter egg hunt, a tradition embraced by families across the country, transforms lawns and parks into colorful treasure hunts for children.  Chocolate bunnies and brightly painted eggs, symbols of springtime rebirth, are exchanged as gifts, contributing to a palpable sense of joy and renewal.  Large cities often host elaborate parades and festivals, adding a layer of public spectacle to the festivities. Beyond the widespread traditions, Easter in America is deeply rooted in family gatherings.  Large family meals, featuring traditional dishes that vary widely based on regional and ethnic backgrounds, are a cornerstone of the holiday.  These gatherings provide a time for connection, reflection, and the sharing of stories and memories.  The emphasis on family underscores a sense of community and belonging, regardless of religious affiliation. In my own family, Easter is a time for cherished traditions.  We begin the day with a church service, followed by an extensive egg hunt in our backyard, meticulously hidden by my father.  Afterward, we gather around a table laden with my grandmother’s renowned ham, scalloped potatoes, and asparagus.  The afternoon is filled with laughter, games, and shared moments, culminating in a leisurely Easter egg dyeing session.  These simple acts solidify our family bonds and create lasting memories, making our Easter celebration a truly special and intimate affair.  It’s a testament to how universal themes of family, renewal, and togetherness underpin this beloved holiday. Gydelenkova Anastasia

Essay "Easter in Canada" Canada is a multinational country with a rich cultural heritage, where Easter is celebrated with great enthusiasm. In different provinces and among different ethnic groups, the celebration may vary, but in general it is the time of spring and renewal. Many Canadians attend church services to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ and participate in various social events, such as fairs and festivals. In large cities, parades and concerts are often organized, creating a festive atmosphere. Easter traditions in Canada are diverse and include both religious and secular customs. One of the most popular traditions is Easter egg hunting, when children are looking for chocolate eggs and other sweets hidden by adults in gardens and homes. Jewelry made of colored paper and Easter baskets filled with goodies are also common. In some regions, special dishes are prepared, such as baked lamb or cakes, which become the central elements of the festive table. My family and I look forward to Easter every year. A few days before the holiday, we start preparing: we paint eggs, clean the house. We all go to church together to consecrate eggs and cakes. At 12 at night I went to the procession with my friend. In the morning, our family gathers at the festive table, where we eat eggs and cakes. For us, Easter is a family holiday, where we devote all our time to each other. Ulyana Katorgina