Christ is Risen, or Holy Easter in Turkmenistan
The history of Christianity in Turkmenistan dates back to the 3rd century AD, when the first missionaries began to arrive in Merv. According to ancient written sources, the ruins of a number of churches in the oasis and monasteries on its outskirts have been found here. The architectural monument of the V-VI centuries, known as the early Christian church of Kharaba-Keshk, was discovered thanks to many years of research study by the Russian academician Galina Pugachenkova,
In multiconfessional Turkmenistan, as of today, there are twelve active Orthodox churches, including four churches in the capital of the country, Ashgabat.
The Church of St. Alexis, Metropolitan of Moscow at Turkmenistan, in the city of Bayramali, Mary Region, is one of the country’s oldest churches; it was built in 1910 according to the project of the Russian architect Schusev. Initially, it was intended as a part of the royal residence, but the Russian Emperor Nicholas II had never visited it as the First World War broke out.
On April 19, Orthodox Christians across the world are celebrating the Holy Resurrection of Christ – Easter. The Easter Day is preceded by Lent, Palm Sunday and Good Friday (Holy Friday).
In all the churches and parishes of Turkmenistan, service began already the night before on Saturday. On Sunday, numerous parishioners gathered in Ashgabat churches to share the joy of a bright holiday and to bless Easter treats – Easter cakes and painted eggs.
The egg has always symbolized life, and the tradition of painting an easter egg has many versions. One of the hypotheses for staining eggs for Easter is associated with Mary Magdalene. So, after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Mary decided to communicate this good news to the emperor Tiberius himself. It was impossible to go to the emperor without gifts, but she had nothing, she took a chicken egg with her as a symbolic gift. She chose a chicken egg, as it always symbolized life, a new stage in development. And when Mary informed the emperor that Jesus Christ was resurrected, the emperor laughed violently and said: “It is as impossible as your white egg to turn red.” Immediately after his words, the chicken egg brought by Mary turned red. Red color symbolizes the blood shed on the cross by Jesus.
The parishioner of the Ashgabat St. Alexander Nevsky Church Eugeniya Soldatova tells:
- Easter for every Orthodox is a very important holiday. Christ has risen and next to God, the soul gains immortality. I have been going to church since childhood; our family has its own relic – a prayer book of 1800. There is also a Sunday school at the Ashgabat St. Alexander Nevsky Church, where my children and I prepare theater scenes for important church dates on biblical subjects.
At the festive sermon, the priest Father John Kopacz, prior of the church, calling for prayer, also mentioned those who are facing difficult times now. Many citizens of Russia cannot now attend the divine service due to COVID-19 pandemic. The prior said that these tests were given to a human being as a chance to think.
Easter services were also held in the Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas in Ashgabat; a large number of people attended the morning liturgy.
“Although I am a Muslim, I try to attend church,” says parishioner Louise. “People of different nationalities live in Turkmenistan, and religious holidays do not divide, but unite us. And we always share festive treats with neighbors, regardless of their religion.”
Selbi CHARIYEVA
