April 23 2011
Today I went to the orthodox church. It is tradition to go a day before Easter to do a number of things. All throughout the day you come and bring your food offerings to the priest, so the priest can bless them. The reason for this is because during lent Russians are suppose to be vegan, but on Easter they can go back to eating normal. So the day before people bring the food that they are going to eat on Easter so the priest will bless it. Most Russians don't become vegan it is just a tradition to go to the church and have your food blessed. Then after that is done people buy candles and take them into the church. There are stations set up all around the church and each station stands for something. For example, one station stands for good health, so if someone wants good health they will lite a candle there and pray for good health and so on and so fourth. Then after you are finished with that you come back at midnight and stay at the church until 6am. People come and chant prayers and listen to the priest chant prayers. I didn't do that.
