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EASTER WITH A DIFFERENCE BUT WITH THE SAME MESSAGE

Major Annette Rieder-Pell explains how Easter is celebrated in the countries of the Eastern Europe Territory

ROLLING green hills, fields bursting with radiant sunflowers, families travelling on horse-pulled carts, old ladies bent to the waist working their gardens, hillsides filled with heavy vines, villages flaunting brightly coloured wells and roads that have seen better days – all conjure a picture of life in Moldova, a small, ex-Soviet country situated in eastern Europe. With Ukraine flanking its right and Romania bordering its left, this tiny strip of land-locked country, boasting little more than three million people, is a largely unknown presence on the world map.

It has an ageing population, is a country far down the list of those with wealth and has little to offer its young people, who are often forced to seek work abroad to feed their families. Yet this is a society where family is hugely

important and valued, and where traditions are held high. The mix of cultures stemming from the Soviet era and the potpourri of languages – despite Romanian being the official language of the country – add flavour to the experience of the land for those living and working here.

After a period of two years as divisional leaders in Ukraine, my husband and I serve at the Eastern Europe Territorial Headquarters, situated in this unique country of Moldova that we now call home. As an officer of British descent and a child of officers, my childhood and then officer service have been spent adapting to new surroundings, new friendships, new cultures and new ways of doing things. Living in Moldova is no exception to this – especially when it comes to traditional celebrations such as Christmas and Easter. Although homesickness can kick in, the strangeness in the way things are done causes me to reflect on the reason for the season. I now recognise that each tradition, each way of celebrating, has its own value and can be beautiful in its own way.

Moldovan society has been influenced by the Orthodox Church for many hundreds of years. Numerous brightly painted, onion-domed churches and monasteries are dotted throughout the country, often providing a stark contrast to the houses occupied by villagers. Eastertime is generally celebrated according to Orthodox tradition, including the date, with each part of the celebration a meaningful reflection of what, to the Western mind, can sometimes seem a mystical faith.

Val, a young woman from Moldova, chats with me about life in a Moldovan

village when preparing for Easter: ‘During Lent, especially in the last week before Easter, the women clean the outside of the houses, while the men are responsible for cleaning the inside. Usually on the Thursday before Easter special Easter bread, pasca, is prepared by the women; this is made with cottage cheese and sweet bread called cozonac. On the Friday before Easter the women dye eggs, mostly a red colour, which represents Christ’s blood that dripped onto the basket laid at his feet near the cross.

‘On the Saturday before Easter Day, food is prepared for the great celebration, which mostly consists of meat, such as meatballs, baked lamb and meat jelly, and is adorned with various salads. Families also prepare a basket which they will take to church to be consecrated by the priest. In times gone by the basket would have contained the Easter bread, some coloured eggs, salt, a bottle of wine and

Pasca

a candle. Nowadays baskets also include meat, cheese, sweets and other food.

‘Around midnight the service starts and lasts until about 4 or 5 o’clock on Easter morning. The priest finishes the service with the words, “Christ is risen!” and people respond with, “Truly he is risen!” Tradition says that on their way home from church families should light candles symbolising Christ’s light being brought into their houses.

‘Once at home, before sitting at the table, the family members wash their hands and faces with fresh water into which a red egg, a white egg and a silver coin have been placed. These

symbolise cleanliness, good health, rosy cheeks and wealth all year round. At the table people first greet each other with “Christ is risen!” and “Truly he is risen!” They then eat the consecrated food, blessed by the priest, before starting the delicious meal, consisting of baked lamb – a symbol of Christ’s sacrifice for our world – pasca and the red eggs.’ Throughout the countries of the Eastern Europe Territory – Moldova, Ukraine, Romania and Georgia – similar traditions are upheld. The painting and decorating of eggs is worthy of exhibition in Kiev, Ukraine, where every year artists put beautifully decorated giant eggs on display in front of St Sophia Cathedral, smaller versions of which can be purchased in street markets.

The Salvation Army, existing as a ‘‘ Often national dress is worn to mark the occasion, and there is definitely no shortage of the sweets and breads that tradition offers

’’

body of believers in this part of the world for 25 years, skilfully combines the Easter traditions of the countries with its own, albeit reflecting its distinct doctrinal understanding. Many corps will offer a reflection of the happenings on Good Friday, although traditionally this is neither a public holiday nor a point of focus in society.

The Easter Sunday meeting is a celebration of new life, born out of the resurrection of Christ, and is a family gathering where young and old are welcome to partake in the festivities. Often national dress is worn to mark the occasion, and there is definitely no shortage of the sweets and breads that tradition offers.

As an expat in this country I have come to appreciate that, when celebrating the seasons of the Church calendar, traditions may differ but the message can be the same. The Easter message remains: Christ is risen! Truly he is risen!

MAJOR RIEDER-PELL IS SECRETARY FOR BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, EASTERN EUROPE