Azerbaijani Christians celebrate Easter
By Aynur Jafarova
A charitable Easter Bazaar was held in the Azerbaijani capital Baku on the eve of Easter -- the most important Christian holiday, which symbolizes peace, solidarity, mercy and kindness.
Organized by the Russian Embassy in Azerbaijan and the Baku and Azerbaijan eparchy of the Russian Orthodox Church, the Easter Bazaar brought together MPs, representatives of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, diplomats and public figures.
The Easter Bazaar, which was hosted at the Russian information and cultural center, aimed to collect funds for orphan children. At this fair you could buy Easter cakes as well as costume jewelry, colorful Azerbaijani scarves, products of Azerbaijani painters and woodcarving craftsmen, and other items.
In his remarks, Archbishop of the Diocese of Baku and Azerbaijan, Alexander Ishenin, spoke about the significance of the event.
Azerbaijan is a multinational country where people of different ethnic groups and religions have lived side by side for a long time. One of such people, the Udins, who live in the northern Azerbaijani region of Gabala, celebrate Easter and their traditional Kala Akhsibay holiday every year.
On Easter day, hundreds of Christian Udins gather at the Albanian church in the Nij village where they light a candle in the church and pray. On this holy day people wish each other the holiday spirit, happiness and well-being for their families.
After the sermon, the ancient Kala Akhsibay holiday is celebrated outside the church. Songs are sung in the Udin language and various dishes and sweets are served.
On the Easter holiday, Christians remember the last week of Jesus' life. Christians recall that Jesus, after dying on the cross, rose from the dead. This miracle showed that life could surmount death.
The custom of giving eggs at Easter celebrates new life. For Christians the egg is a symbol of Jesus' resurrection. Eggs have always been thought to be special because they have life within them especially at springtime when chicks hatch out.
Many traditions and practices have shaped up around Easter eggs. The coloring of eggs is an established art and eggs are often dyed, painted and otherwise decorated on this holiday.