Surb Zatik - Holy Easter in Armenia

The Resurrection of Christ is called “Surb Zatik” among Armenians. In Russian, “Surb” is translated as saint, and “Zatik” means liberation. In Russian etymology, these two words are translated with a single meaning - Holy Easter, or the Holy Resurrection of Christ. Armenians were the first to accept Christianity. This religion became the state religion in Armenia in 301. The Resurrection of Christ is the most important holiday for believers, symbolizing the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. The main Christian holiday for believers in Armenia begins with the evening Liturgy on Saturday. Believers greet each other with the phrase “Jesus Christ has risen from the dead.” The symbol of the Saturday Liturgy is the lighting of candles in the church. Believers take lit candles home with them from the temple. On Sunday morning, colored eggs are placed in home-grown green grass. Green grass sprouts symbolize resurrection, rising from the dead. One of the main shades of colored eggs is red. This sign symbolizes cleansing from sins by the blood of Christ. In the Armenian tradition, a symbol of the celebration of the Resurrection of Christ is the creation of the Easter Tree of Life. It consists of a composition of tree branches (traditionally from cherry tree branches), on which painted or decorative eggs are hung using red and green ribbons. The colors of the ribbons symbolize masculine and feminine principles. The branches of the tree are placed in a jug, which in turn is surrounded by young grass shoots. Such a tree of life is called “Kenats Tsar” in Armenian. Armenian women also create decorative eggs. Usually, for this purpose, egg blanks are used from different materials, which are painted with paints, decorated with knitted threads or plant grains, most often legumes. On the day of Surb Zatik celebration, fish dishes, pilaf with dried plums, apricots, raisins, and pie filled with legumes are traditionally served. Wheat flatbreads are also baked, and for the first course a stew of vegetables or legumes is always prepared, using lentils, green peppers, onions and garlic.