Russian Easter Traditions: Food, Faith, and Festivities You’ll Want to Experience

Apr 20

Discover Russian Easter traditions—faith, food, and family customs like kulich, paskha, and midnight services. Celebrate renewal the Russian way.

More Than Painted Eggs: A Celebration of Life, Light, and Renewal

It’s midnight in Moscow. Outside the golden domes of an Orthodox church, people are standing quietly in the cold, holding slender white candles. Inside, the choir begins to sing. The priest emerges, swinging incense, and the congregation follows him in procession around the church. At exactly midnight, he exclaims: “Khristos voskres!”(Christ is risen!) And the crowd responds, “Voistinu voskres!” (Indeed, He is risen!).

This is Russian Easter—Paskha (Пасха)—and it is unlike any other holiday in the world.

In Russia, Easter is more than bunnies and baskets. It’s a deeply spiritual, historical, and sensory-rich celebration that weaves together centuries of Orthodox tradition, seasonal symbolism, and delicious homemade food. It’s the most important religious holiday in the Russian calendar—more significant than Christmas—and one that brings families together for days of preparation, prayer, and joy.

For language learners, travelers, and anyone curious about Russian culture, experiencing (or even just understanding) Russian Easter offers a beautiful window into the soul of the country. You’ll discover why eggs are sacred, what makes Easter bread rise so high, and how a simple greeting can connect strangers across generations.

In this article, we’ll take you on a journey through the unique traditions, symbolic foods, and joyful customs that make Russian Easter unforgettable.

The Spiritual Heart of the Celebration

A Holiday Rooted in Faith

Russian Easter is a celebration of Christ’s resurrection, but it’s also a celebration of light conquering darkness, life returning after a harsh winter, and community reconnecting after the introspection of Lent. It’s steeped in Orthodox Christian liturgy, rituals, and visual symbolism—icons, candles, white robes, and gold chalices.

For devout Orthodox Christians, Easter preparations begin weeks in advance. The 40-day Great Lent (Великий пост) is a time of strict fasting—no meat, dairy, or eggs—and spiritual reflection. Holy Week, the final days leading up to Easter, is filled with special services. On Good Friday, bells go silent. On Holy Saturday, families quietly prepare food. And at midnight between Saturday and Sunday, churches across Russia erupt in celebration.

Even non-religious Russians often attend Easter services for the sense of beauty, history, and belonging. The moment when candles are lit in the dark church and the priest declares the resurrection is unforgettable—an emotional high point that marks the end of winter and the beginning of rebirth.

The Midnight Procession

One of the most powerful Easter traditions is the midnight procession (крестный ход). With bells ringing and incense rising, the faithful walk three times around the church, symbolizing the women who came to Christ’s tomb at dawn. It’s a mix of solemnity and joy—a reminder that faith is both inward and outward, personal and communal.

After the service, people greet each other not with "Hello" but with "Christ is risen!"—to which the only proper reply is "Indeed, He is risen!" And instead of shaking hands, they often kiss three times on the cheeks. This Easter greeting (paskhalnoe privetstvie) is used for days afterward, even among strangers.

The Language of Symbols: What Everything Means

Easter in Russia is rich with symbolism, and nearly every custom has a deeper meaning. Eggs represent rebirth. Candles symbolize Christ’s light. Bread rises with the promise of resurrection.

Red eggs are especially important. The color represents the blood of Christ and is also a traditional Slavic symbol of beauty and life. Eggs are dyed naturally with onion skins or beet juice.
Baskets of food are brought to church on Holy Saturday and blessed by the priest. These usually contain the foods people gave up during Lent: cheese, butter, sausage, eggs, and, most importantly, kulich and paskha.

These traditions are not just relics of the past—they’re part of modern Russian life. Families still gather in kitchens to dye eggs, knead dough, and make preparations together. Children grow up watching their grandparents perform these rituals with reverence, and the traditions are passed down through generations.

Russian Easter Foods You’ll Want to Try (or Learn to Make)

Russian Easter is as much about the table as the temple. After weeks of fasting, the Easter feast is rich, celebratory, and deeply symbolic. Here are the most beloved dishes:

1. Kulich (Кулич) – Tall Easter Bread

Kulich is a towering, cylindrical bread made with eggs, butter, sugar, dried fruit, and sometimes saffron. It’s baked in tall molds (often old coffee tins) and decorated with white icing and colorful sprinkles. The letters XB (for Khristos Voskres) are often written on top.

The bread is usually blessed in church before it is eaten, and it’s sliced ceremonially at the table. Its shape represents the domes of Orthodox churches, and its richness reflects the joy of the Resurrection.

2. Paskha (Пасха) – Sweet Cheese Dessert

Not to be confused with the name of the holiday itself, this paskha is a pyramid-shaped dessert made from sweetened tvorog (farmer’s cheese), butter, sugar, and sometimes raisins or candied fruits. It's pressed into a mold and often decorated with the same XB symbol.

The shape represents the tomb of Christ, and the ingredients—all rich and dairy-based—are a direct contrast to the Lenten fast.

3. Colored and Decorated Eggs

Eggs are boiled, dyed, painted, or even decorated with intricate wax patterns. While red is traditional, modern Russian families use all kinds of colors and techniques. Some use stickers, gold leaf, or batik methods. Kids often get involved, turning egg-dyeing into a fun family event.

Egg-cracking games are also common. Each person chooses an egg and tries to crack the other's without breaking their own. The last egg standing wins bragging rights.

Family Traditions and Modern Touches

Easter in Russia is above all a family holiday. Whether you live in Moscow, Siberia, or abroad, if you’re Russian, Easter means coming home—or at least calling your family and sharing blessings.

Preparing Together

Many families begin preparing a week before Easter. Grandmothers knead dough for kulich, children dye eggs, and the whole house is cleaned from top to bottom—a symbolic cleansing before the most sacred day of the year.

It’s also common to set a beautiful table with embroidered linens, fresh flowers (especially tulips or pussy willows), and icons. A candle is often lit in the center, representing Christ’s light.

New Traditions Meet Old Ones

While traditional practices remain strong, modern Russians often add their own spin:

Sharing recipes and photos on social media
Sending Easter emojis and virtual greetings
Watching live-streamed Easter services

Even non-religious Russians often celebrate Easter as a cultural moment. They may not attend church, but they still bake kulich, dye eggs, and gather with loved ones.

How Russian Easter Differs from Western Easter

If you're used to Easter bunnies, marshmallow chicks, and chocolate eggs, Russian Easter might feel unfamiliar—but fascinating.

No Bunny, No Hunt

There’s no Easter Bunny in Russian tradition. Instead of candy-filled baskets, children receive eggs, sweet bread, or small handmade gifts. The focus is less on commercialism and more on connection—to faith, family, and cultural heritage.

A Different Calendar

The Russian Orthodox Church follows the Julian calendar, so Easter usually falls one to five weeks later than Catholic or Protestant Easter. This sometimes causes confusion—but also gives learners of Russian culture two chances to celebrate!

A Deeper Connection to Faith

While Western Easter often centers on brunch and egg hunts, Russian Easter is deeply liturgical. The long midnight services, the fasting beforehand, and the powerful symbolism make it a more immersive and emotional experience.

Want to Celebrate Russian Easter Yourself?

You don’t need to live in Russia or be Orthodox to appreciate the beauty of these traditions. Here are a few ways to honor the spirit of Russian Easter from anywhere:

Try baking a kulich or making paskha at home. There are many English-language recipes online.
Dye eggs the traditional way using onion skins.
Learn and use the Easter greeting: “Khristos voskres!” / “Voistinu voskres!”
Light a candle and reflect on the theme of renewal.
Listen to a Russian Orthodox Easter chant or hymn.

Celebrating Russian Easter is about slowing down, reconnecting, and appreciating the sacred in everyday life. Whether you’re religious or not, it offers a meaningful way to mark spring and the return of light.

Learn the Language Behind the Traditions

Curious to understand Russian Easter at a deeper level? Learning the language is the key.

At Polyglottist Language Academy, we don’t just teach Russian—we bring culture to life. Our classes help you speak, read, and understand Russian through real-world topics like food, traditions, history, and holidays.

Whether you're planning a trip to Russia, want to connect with Russian-speaking family, or just love learning languages, we’ll help you develop confidence and fluency—with warmth, structure, and community.

👉 Sign up for Russian classes now

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FAQs About Russian Easter

Q: When is Russian Easter celebrated? A: Russian Easter usually falls one to five weeks after Western Easter, as the Russian Orthodox Church uses the Julian calendar. The exact date changes each year.

Q: What is the traditional Easter greeting in Russian? A: “Khristos voskres!” (“Christ is risen!”), to which the reply is “Voistinu voskres!” (“Indeed, He is risen!”).

Q: Is Russian Easter only a religious holiday? A: While it is deeply rooted in the Orthodox Christian tradition, many Russians celebrate it culturally through food, family gatherings, and traditional customs, regardless of religious affiliation.

Q: What’s the difference between kulich and paskha? A: Kulich is a tall, sweet bread often decorated with icing and sprinkles. Paskha is a creamy, sweetened cheese dessert molded into a pyramid shape and decorated with religious symbols.

Q: Can I experience Russian Easter outside of Russia? A: Yes! Russian Orthodox churches and communities around the world celebrate Easter with services and traditional foods. You can also recreate many customs—like egg-dyeing and kulich baking—at home.

Olga Sylvia