Orthodox churches celebrate Easter this weekend

WEIRTON -- Members of several local churches are among millions of Orthodox Christians who are celebrating Easter this weekend.

The Rev. Andrew Nelko of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church explained Orthodox Christians celebrate the holiday, also known as Pascha to them, on a different date because the Orthodox church adheres to the Julian calendar, which predates the Gregorian calendar followed by many western Christian churches.

As with other Christian denominations, worship services on Easter weekend begin with a melancholy remembrance of Christ's death on the cross followed by a joyous celebration of his resurrection.

Nelko said for Good Friday services, the temple is dark, illuminated only by candlelight during the service. An embroidered cloth bearing an image of Christ's body is placed on a table to represent his entombment.

He noted that in the Bible's account of Christ's death, "We hear the earth was darkened, the sun hid itself."

Nelko said in the early days of Christianity, sundown was seen as the start of each day, so the Good Friday and Easter Sunday services begin on Saturday night.

With some variations, the Easter or Paschal service is held an hour or more before midnight on Saturday and continue for an hour or more afterward.

A highlight is the lighting of candles from the priest at the altar to members of the church, who march out of the building bearing them before returning to find the interior lighted, signifying Christ's resurrection.

Nelko said a Paschal troparion, or short hymn, is sung, often in multiple languages.

"The idea is that Jesus was risen for all nations," he explained.

Nelko added that not unlike Christmas, other special hymns are sung.

He said Orthodox Easter is very much a family holiday, with children brought even to the late-night service.

"Some come in their pajamas. You may see some passed out on the floor. But my kids never sleep," said Nelko.

He added because of the excitement and joy expressed by attendees, most children don't sleep through all of it.

Nelko said during the Orthodox Lent and Holy Week, Orthodox Christians are encouraged to abstain from eating meat, fish and dairy products.

"Most abstain from meat, while others abstain from fish and dairy products according to their dietary needs.

It's almost like a vegan diet," he said.

Following the Easter service, members of the church gather for a meal that often includes lamb, kielbasa and other meat supplied by the church and baskets filled with a variety of other food made by members.

Orthodox Easter favorites include hard-boiled eggs dyed red, for the blood of Christ; and sweet bread, which is leavened with yeast as a reminder of the unleavened bread consumed by the Moses-led Jews when they fled Egypt and the new covenant God has presented to his people through Christ.

Nelko said Easter is a time of rejoicing and fellowship and following the service, many members visit with family members, not only on Sunday but through the week that follows.

"There is a lot of getting together with family and friends, kind of like Christmas, but through the week," he said.

(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)