The modern church knows two joyful events that are considered the most important church holidays - Christmas and Easter. Each of the holidays has its own traditions.
The Feast of the Birth of Christ is considered great and joyful in the church, it is the beginning of other Christian holidays. Although they began to celebrate it rather late (for the first time this holiday was mentioned only in the 3rd century). And every nation, every country has its own special traditions.
Christmas
For example, at Christmas in Ethiopia, Orthodox Christians walk around the church three times with lighted candles, after which they hold a solemn liturgy and consecrate the brought bread. On this day, it is customary to get together and feed the closest people from the hands of a roasted chicken with spices called "doro wat". Plates are not used, holding the meat in the palm, covered with an engineer - a yeast dough cake.
In Armenia, on the eve of the celebration of the Nativity of Christ, according to a tradition dating back to the 5th century, temples and churches are brightly illuminated, lighting lamps and candles, liturgies are read and communion is given.
In Kenya, at Christmas, churches are decorated with ribbons, balls, flowers, and Christmas plants and trees. Every family always cooks fried meat - nayama choma and baked African flat bread - chapatis.
In Greece, baked pork and Christmas bread are prepared for the festive feast in almost all families. Christmas sweets are generously poured with honey and sprinkled with walnuts. By tradition, a special bread is also baked - basilopite, inside of which a coin is baked. It is believed that for the one who gets it, the year will be successful.
In Cyprus, on Christmas Eve, after visiting the church, families arrange a feast, the main course of which is chicken soup, in which a raw egg or bread soup with yogurt is diluted. For the holiday, tsurekkia is baked - long, flat bread with a boiled egg inside. On the first day of Christmas, young people gather in villages near temples and play games such as tug-of-war, leapfrog, etc.
In Russia, before Christmas, it is customary to put things in order and bake homemade pies; on Christmas night itself, you need to open the doors of the house wide and invite everyone who wishes to the table, including the beggar, in whose image, as you know, Christ himself may be.
For the Christmas feast, 13 dishes were usually prepared, and an even number of people sat at the table to participate in the festive meal.
Easter
Easter is a bright Christian holiday, which is dear in that it gives humanity hope for a resurrection, similar to the resurrection of Christ. On this day, Great Lent ends, and the believers can break their fast. All over the world, tables are set and friends and family are invited to this joyful church. It is customary to greet each other with a “holy kiss” and the phrase “Christ is risen. Resurrected in truth"
In the West, the tradition of the "holy light" has also been preserved - lighting a large bonfire on the parish territory. In Russia, unfortunately, it is lost. A procession of the cross is also performed on Easter, to which all comers join. Blagovest is calling.
