How to celebrate Easter in Yoshkar-Ola

Easter is the largest Christian holiday established in honor of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Believers begin preparations for Easter seven weeks before the Bright Resurrection of Christ, observing Great Lent for 40 days. The last week is called Holy Week – Christians not only fast for 7 days, but also receive communion, clean the house and prepare to celebrate Easter. In 2026, the holiday falls on April 12, and read our article about how and where to celebrate it.

The origin of the holiday

The word Easter comes from the Hebrew term "Pesach" and has two meanings: "passing by" and "crossing over". The first interpretation refers us to the events described in the Old Testament. After the Jewish people fled Egypt, God sent terrible disasters upon the country. One night, the Angel of the Lord took away all the firstborn, regardless of whether they belonged to humans or animals. The angel allowed only the houses of the Jews, who anointed the doors with the blood of the sacrificial lamb. The second meaning of the word is found already in the New Testament and implies "the transition from death to life," that is, the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after the crucifixion.

Holy Week

Great Lent ends with Holy Week, during which believers eat only plant foods. During these 7 days, it is customary to observe certain rituals.:

• On Maundy Thursday, Christians start painting eggs.
• On Good Friday, when Jesus was crucified, Orthodox Christians completely refuse to eat, expressing their sorrow.
• On Holy Saturday, people bake and consecrate cakes.

You can pray, receive communion, and clean the house throughout the week, except on Good Friday. This day is devoted only to prayers, any household chores, such as washing and sewing, should be postponed.

Easter Service

On Holy Saturday in Jerusalem, the Easter flame is taken out of the Holy Sepulchre, which is delivered to churches throughout Russia. The ceremony continues at night, when the clergy and worshippers come out of the temples with lighted candles. Singing stichera, they walk around the temple three times, repeating the procession of the myrrh-bearing women who came to the Tomb of Christ.

The procession ends at the western gate, the Christians return to the temple, and the Easter service begins at 12 a.m. Its main difference is that the biblical texts are not read out (as is usually the case), but are sung.

Festive breakfast and festivities

The service ends at 5 a.m., and it's time for a festive breakfast. At first light, believers share traditional Easter treats with their loved ones.:

• Colored eggs – symbolize the life and blood of Christ;
• Cakes are a symbol of the body of Christ;
• Easter (a dish of cottage cheese with dried fruits) is associated with the tomb of Jesus.

Throughout the Bright Resurrection of Christ, the Christian world rejoices and rejoices: folk festivals are held in many cities. On this day, it is customary to greet people with the phrase "Christ is risen!" and respond with "Truly he is risen!"

Kugeche – Mari Easter

In the Republic of Mari El, Easter coincides with the traditional holiday of the Mari Kugeche people. On this day, it is customary to honor the dead, rejoice in the reviving nature and pray. A rich sacrificial table is set, on which colored eggs and dishes of national cuisine are necessarily present.

The preparation for Kugeche lasts for several days:

• No fire or cooking is allowed on Wednesday until 12 p.m.;
• Thursday is the day to remember the dead;
• On Friday, there are festivities, games for young people, and swings.;
• Eggs are painted on Saturday;
• On Sunday, people celebrate the dawn, take a bath, and then pray.

The holiday ends on Monday with the Tashlama yumash ceremony, where it is customary to treat each other with beer from a ritual ladle.

One of the key traditions of Kugeche is swing riding. According to local legends, it was on a swing that the daughter of the god Yumynudyr descended to earth, where she fell in love with a young man and refused to return home. The couple became the ancestors of the Mari people.

Where can I relax on Easter in Yoshkar-Ola?

Bright Sunday of Christ is best spent with family and friends, away from the daily routine and worldly fuss. For example, you can go out of town and celebrate Easter at the Rosinka recreation center in Kokshaisk (56 km from Yoshkar-Ola). Here you will enjoy the beauty of the awakening nature, breathe in the fresh air and feel the spirit of the Christian holiday. Our guests highly appreciate the high-quality service, pleasant prices, and comfortable modern rooms. We also offer to rent a barbecue area, where you can roast an appetizing barbecue.

To book a room in advance or rent a cottage, discuss vacation options with the administrator, leave a request on the website or call our contact phone number. The specialist will answer all your questions.