Holy Easter (Surb Zatik) is widely and generously celebrated in Armenia. The name of the holiday means "deliverance from torment," like Christ's deliverance from torment on the cross. Also, since the pre-Christian period, the Armenian Easter personifies gratitude to natural forces for the onset of spring, when everything around is awakening from hibernation.
Like Russian Orthodox Easter, Zatik does not have a clear date for celebration, but is always celebrated in the spring after the equinox, on the Sunday following the full moon. The holiday begins after a special rite of consecration of the four cardinal points - Andastan, which is held on the eve of Easter in the church, on the evening of Holy Saturday.
Holiday of resurrection
More than two thousand years that have passed since the birth of Jesus Christ have changed the world, but faith has only grown stronger thanks to the holiday of the Resurrection, the traditions of which are passed down from generation to generation. In ancient times, every young Armenian woman was obliged to be able to make an Easter symbol - the Utis-tat figurine, which is considered the mistress of the house and must decorate the kitchen, as well as contribute to the upbringing of children in a national way. Another doll from Armenian legends is Aklatiz, which brings good luck to the whole family. It is decorated with onions and 49 stones.
Traditions
With the adoption of Christianity, Armenians did not stop painting eggs, which is one of the main elements of the celebration of Easter. The eggs are given a color that marks spring and the sun is red. Usually, onion peel prepared in advance acts as a paint. Only on the bright holiday of Easter can children compete in skating and breaking eggs, adults also join the game with pleasure.
One of the most unusual Easter traditions also comes from Armenia: on Easter morning, taking a candle, middle-aged women went outside and blessed the trees. In ancient times, sacrifices were not complete: a rooster or a lamb was cooked all night, and in the morning they fed the poor with it.
Fish (kutap), symbolizing this day, bean-rice cake, pilaf with dried fruits and berries, wheat cakes, boiled meat (lamb or rooster), lentil and choratan soup with onions, pepper and garlic are traditionally served at the table on Zatik. as well as other Easter dishes. Not a single table is complete without the leaves of the Spitak Bayjar plant, because the ancient Armenian legend says that these leaves served the Mother of God for the swaddling of Christ.
Greetings on the holiday of bright Resurrection among Armenians does not differ much from Russian traditions. In Armenia they say to each other: "Christ is Risen from the dead!", Receiving in response: "Blessed is the Resurrection of Christ!"
