The other day I was pushing my children in their stroller past the local Catholic school. It was a warm, sunny day, and several dozen groups of students were outside on the grass. I thought it might be a fire alarm at first, but then I noticed the billowing pieces of cloth many of them had. When I saw the fake swords and noticed the crowns that almost looked like they were made of thorns, I realized the students were preparing for an Easter pageant. The billowing cloths were part of costumes: off-white for disciples’ robes, red for Roman capes.
I love Easter. I love that it’s a holiday all of Christianity celebrates together (yes, I know Orthodox Christians celebrate Easter a week or two after the rest of us–but they still celebrate it with us). There is nothing better than remembering the miracle of the Savior’s life, His atonement, and His resurrection. Because of Him, I know that I will live again after I die. Among the best words ever spoken are these: “He is not here, but is risen.”
There is a beautiful Easter tradition in many countries with large Orthodox Christian populations. When greeting someone on Easter, one says “Christ is risen!” This is the response: “Truly, He is risen”. My husband served a mission to an Eastern European country, and learned of this tradition there.
In our family we make music an important part of our Easter. My husband’s favorite Easter hymn is “Stichera of the Holy Pascha”. It’s beautiful, but the version we listen to every Easter wasn’t on youtube. Here is one of my favorite hymns instead:
Christ is risen. Truly, He is risen.
This post is part of an LDS writer’s blogfest. You can view other blogs that are part of this event here:
Angie Lofthouse
Ben Spendlove
Britanny Larsen
Cami Checketts
Charity Bradford
Danyelle Ferguson
Giselle Abreu
Julia Keanini
Julie Coulter Bellon
Kasey Tross
Kayeleen Hamblin
Kelly Bryson
Krista Van Dolzer
Laura Johnston
Melanie Standord
Rachelle Christensen
Rebecca Belliston
Sierra Gardner
Stephanie Worlton
A. L. Sowards 
What a lovely tradition! I’ll have to remember that greeting and reply for next year.
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It is a lovely tradition. I feel like I need to learn Romanian or Russian to be really authentic, but it’s still beautiful in English!
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Thanks for sharing these thoughts with us, Amanda, and thanks for participating in the blogfest! I would have loved to hear “Stichera of the Holy Pascha,” but I guess the Mormon Tabernacle Choir will have to do:)
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Krista, I will let you know if I ever find a good online version! Thank you for stopping by my blog.
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I love the idea of sharing those words with all we meet: He is risen! Thanks so much for sharing. Glad I could come visit your blog as part of the blogfest! 🙂
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Thank you for coming by, Kasey!
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Thanks for a great post. I love seeing how other people celebrate Easter. What a beautiful tradition. He truly is Risen.
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Thank you Kayeleen!
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Thank you for sharing your testimony of the living Christ 🙂
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Thank you Julia. I was so happy to be part of this blogfest and have an opportunity to talk about the Savior.
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Great post – thanks for sharing!
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Thank you for coming by Sierra!
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I really want to hear that song! I’m imagining it must be an Easter version of “O Holy Night,” or something. Thanks for the post and nice to meet you!
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I’ll keep looking for it! Thank you for stopping by!
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I love that hymn too. We sang it in church last Sunday and I was singing it in my head for the rest of the day.
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It’s a good hymn to have in your head! I always think we should sing the Easter hymns for more than just one week.
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I love Easter too. It always brings me joy. Great post!
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Thank you Angie!
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I like that tradition.
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