5 Russian Proverbs about Easter 

1 «Дорого яичко ко Христову дню» (“Dorogo yaichko ko Khristovu dnyu”)

“A precious egg for Christ's Day”

Giving painted eggs, symbolizing the beginning of new life, is an obligatory holiday ritual. It’s also an essential part of the Easter table, just like the ‘kulich’ (Easter cake). After exchanging greetings, believers exchange painted eggs and play a game of cue ball at the table: the goal is to break the shell of each other's egg. At first glance, this seems like child's play. In fact, this long-standing tradition symbolizes the opening of the tomb, in which Christ was buried and his Resurrection.

A festive table with special dishes and special greetings – all this is appropriate for Easter. When they say: "A precious egg for Christ's Day," they mean that help or a gift is given at the right time. Another way to say it is: "A spoon is dear to the heart of the meal."

2 «Целуй в уста, теперь нет Поста» (“Tseluy v usta, teper net Posta”)

“Kiss on the lips, now Lent is over”

This is said, referring to the Easter tradition of exchanging three kisses, congratulating each other on the Resurrection of Christ. The lengthy Great Lent has ended, the period of abstinence from meat-based foods and entertainment is over.

3 «Христово Воскресенье всем на веселье» (“Khristovo Voskresenye vsem na veselye”) 

Christ's Resurrection for everyone’s fun

Easter is a bright, joyful holiday, symbolizing the victory of life over death.

4 «Была кручина, будет и радость! Был пост, будет и Праздник!» (“Byla kruchina, budet i radost! Byl post, budet i Prazdnik!”)

“There was sorrow, there will be joy! There was Lent, there will be a feast!”

After Great Lent comes a time of joy. So it is in life: after trials and sorrows, bright days will follow. We must remember that, after a bad streak, there will surely be a good one.

5 «Где кулич и тесто, тут и наше место!» (“Gde ‘kulich’ i testo, tut i nashe mesto!”)

“Where there is ‘kulich’ and dough, there is our place!”

For the Easter meal, a festive table is prepared: ‘kulich’, ‘paskha’ and painted eggs. After a period of abstinence (during Lent, believers fast, that is, they do not eat food of animal origin), one can finally break the fast and not limit oneself in food.