January 8, 2025

Why Orthodox Christians Celebrate Pascha as the Feast of Feasts

‍In the course of our research for the Lives, Miracles, and Wisdom of the Saints & Fasting Calendar, we often run across stories that constantly amaze us. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

Christ is risen! Truly He is risen!

These words chime with the greatest of glee not only in Orthodox church but also during Pascha, the Orthodox Easter. To the Orthodox people, Orthodox Pascha is not just a holiday. It is the highest point of the Orthodox Christian Church and the victory of life over death and the fulfillment of the divine providence in the life of people.

But why is it called the Feast of Feasts? Let’s examine the theological significance, the liturgical elegance of Pascha and the devotion behind the traditions that put Pascha in the heart of the Orthodox faith.

Pascha: The Orthodox Christian Hearts

In its essence, Orthodox Pascha is the feast of the Lord’s most important and decisive event in the history of mankind and the whole created world. Without the Resurrection, as St. Paul writes, “our faith is in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:17). This feast proclaims the victory over death that Christ has won for all who would follow him, that they will live forever.

In theological terms, Pascha sums up Christian soteriology—victory, new creation, and love. The Resurrection is not a history that had taken place but a continuous event that changes lives.

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A Journey Through Holy Week

Liturgical journey to Pascha is as meaningful as the Paschal feast. Starting with the procession of palm branches and ending with the resurrection, Holy week offers the believers a journey. Every day, we get a preview of the events of Christ’s passion, from the institution of the Holy Eucharist to His death and burial.

• Holy Friday: The single gloomiest day of the year. Christians celebrate the Crucifixion of Christ through processions and the placing of the Epitaphios, an icon of Christ, in a sepulcher.

• Holy Saturday: A day of quiet anticipation. In the evening it is the turn of light, music, and joy in churches to proclaim the Resurrection.

The Midnight Vigil: A Night Like No Other

Pascha starts at the midnight Paschal Vigil, one of the most emotionally stirring events in the Orthodox Church calendar. The church is dark, which means it represents the tomb. Then all the candles are extinguished and one candle, the Light of Christ, is taken from the candle of the priest and passed from one person to another and the whole assembly is lit.

The hymn of resurrection “Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death!” is sung out to announce the Resurrection. Bells ring. Hymns resound. The faithful embrace one another with the Paschal greeting: “Christ is risen!” And the response is “Truly He is risen!”

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Also Read : The Role of Prayer and Meditation in Orthodox Christianity

Why It’s Called The Feast of Feasts

Of all Twelve Great Feasts of Orthodoxy, Pascha is unique. It is the core upon which all other feasts are built upon. Even such major feasts as Nativity, Theophany, and Pentecost have the Resurrection as their culmination. Pascha is deliverance from sin, death and despair.

While, Western Easter is always on the first Sunday of April, Orthodox Easter is usually on a different date because it uses Julian calendar. This particular timing underscores the specificity of the feast and its theological aspects.

Paschal Joy: This is how Orthodox Christians celebrate.

Pascha is not only one day, but a period of happiness. The forty days after Pascha are called the Paschal period and during these days the message of the Lord’s Resurrection is read.

• Feasting: Following the fasting period of Great Lent families come together for joyous meals where Lamb, eggs and sweet breads such as kulich are prepared. These represent rebirth and life.

• Traditions: In many Orthodox cultures, there are exchanged of eggs that have bright colors, representing the empty tomb.

• Liturgical Practices: During the Paschal season the iconostasis is not closed as it normally is during other times of the year; instead the doors to the iconostasis are opened symbolizing the opened gates of Paradise.

Also Read : The Best Eastern Orthodox Fasting Calendar

Living Pascha Daily

Pascha is not limited to a single night or a season. It is a call to celebrate the Resurrection daily. Here’s how:

1. Participate Fully in Holy Week: Immerse oneself in the services starting with the Bridesgroom Matins to the victorious Paschal Vigil.

2. Embrace Renewal: Jews celebrate Pascha in order to find a new self. Think of places in your life that must be revitalized spiritually.

3. Share the Light: As the Paschal flame burns, pass on hope and love of Christ to your fellow men.

How to Make Your Paschal Experience More Delicious

If you want to be surrounded with the atmosphere of Pascha traditions? Consider these resources:

• 2025 Lives of the Saints Calendar: Read more about the saints who experienced and preached the joy of the Resurrection.

• Prayer Ropes: The 33-Knot Mount Athos Wool Prayer Rope is one of the tools that can help in your daily prayers and help you not to deviate from the message of Pascha.

• Inspirational Reading: As with other books, Wisdom of the Divine Philosophers contains thoughts that can be connected to the concept of victory and revival.

Christ Is Risen!

For Orthodox Christians, Pascha is not just a celebration they remember, it is a way of life. It tells us that as with Christ, we also have hope, new creation and life eternally. It’s not surprising that this feast is known as the Feast of Feasts.