April 26, 2022

Russian Easter Amid Conflict


Russian Easter Amid Conflict
Putin attends Easter service, April 24, 2022. Press Office of the President of Russia.

Russian Orthodox Easter bears all the hallmarks of one of the church's holiest days. This year, however, celebrations were held under the light of the continuing war.

Typically observed with religious rites and opulent late-night services (and traditional painted eggs), this year's festivities seemed much more comprehensive. City parades had a distinctively military flair, with the now-recognizable "Z" symbol and patriotic colors of St. George's ribbon mingling with traditional clerical outfits and intricate icons. Even military servicemembers took part in processions, underlining Russia's deep marriage between church and state.

As for Putin, he and Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin attended midnight service at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, Moscow's main church, which was first constructed after Russia's victory in the Napoleonic Wars. In an official statement, Putin said that Easter calls all Orthodox followers to recall their "high moral ideals and values, awakens in people the brightest feelings, faith in the triumph of life, goodness and justice." In a statement directed at Patriarch Kirill, Putin said that at Easter, "the hearts of believers are filled with special joy, sincere love for their neighbors, the desire to do good deeds and help those in need."

In effect, his statements sidestepped any mention of the war in Ukraine.

Orthodox Easter fell this year on April 24, one week after the date the holiday was observed by Catholic and Protestant denominations.

You Might Also Like

Pysanky for Peace
  • April 03, 2022

Pysanky for Peace

Ukrainian Easter pysanky are a colorful symbol of peace and prosperity. As the country resists Russian aggression, there are ways to support Ukrainian pysanka makers, learn to decorate your own Easter egg, or join a local event to learn about this unique tradition.
A Quiet Christmas for Putin
  • January 12, 2021

A Quiet Christmas for Putin

Instead of reveling in the bright lights of a Moscow Christmas celebration, Putin decided to take in the holiday at a small church in a small town.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

How Russia Got That Way
September 20, 2025

How Russia Got That Way

A fast-paced crash course in Russian history, from Norsemen to Navalny, that explores the ways the Kremlin uses history to achieve its ends.

Murder at the Dacha
July 01, 2013

Murder at the Dacha

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin has a problem. Several, actually. Not the least of them is the fact that a powerful Soviet boss has been murdered, and Matyushkin's surly commander has given him an unreasonably short time frame to close the case.

Fearful Majesty
July 01, 2014

Fearful Majesty

This acclaimed biography of one of Russia’s most important and tyrannical rulers is not only a rich, readable biography, it is also surprisingly timely, revealing how many of the issues Russia faces today have their roots in Ivan’s reign.

Moscow and Muscovites
November 26, 2013

Moscow and Muscovites

Vladimir Gilyarovsky's classic portrait of the Russian capital is one of Russians’ most beloved books. Yet it has never before been translated into English. Until now! It is a spectactular verbal pastiche: conversation, from gutter gibberish to the drawing room; oratory, from illiterates to aristocrats; prose, from boilerplate to Tolstoy; poetry, from earthy humor to Pushkin. 

93 Untranslatable Russian Words
December 01, 2008

93 Untranslatable Russian Words

Every language has concepts, ideas, words and idioms that are nearly impossible to translate into another language. This book looks at nearly 100 such Russian words and offers paths to their understanding and translation by way of examples from literature and everyday life. Difficult to translate words and concepts are introduced with dictionary definitions, then elucidated with citations from literature, speech and prose, helping the student of Russian comprehend the word/concept in context.

Jews in Service to the Tsar
October 09, 2011

Jews in Service to the Tsar

Benjamin Disraeli advised, “Read no history: nothing but biography, for that is life without theory.” With Jews in Service to the Tsar, Lev Berdnikov offers us 28 biographies spanning five centuries of Russian Jewish history, and each portrait opens a new window onto the history of Eastern Europe’s Jews, illuminating dark corners and challenging widely-held conceptions about the role of Jews in Russian history.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955