"Christ is Risen!" Easter Greetings in Many Languages

The Resurrection of the Christ,

an Orthodox icon.

It is Easter night in Finland, and I just came from the Easter Midnight Mass aka Easter Night Service. It was a beautiful event in a small local church. Soon comes the Resurrection Morning, and the sun will rise. So it's time for Easter greeting. I want to do it in an "Orthodox way".

In the Orthodox Church, Easter is called Pascha. According to Wikipedia, "the Paschal greeting is an Easter custom among Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Eastern Catholic Christians, as well as among some Roman Catholic and Protestant Christians. Instead of "hello" or its equivalent, one is to greet another person with "Christ is Risen!", and the response is "Truly, He is Risen" (compare Matthew 27:64, Matthew 28:6-7, Mark 16:6, Luke 24:6, Luke 24:34). In some cultures, such as in Russia and Serbia, it is also customary to exchange a triple kiss on the alternating cheeks after the greeting".

Related to this tradition, Leo Tolstoy's great novel Resurrection (1899) includes one of the most beautiful love scene in literature. Chapter 15 tells how boy (Nekhludoff) and girl (Katyusha) are in the church on the Easter night. After the Easter Night Service, they kiss each other three times in the morning twilight of the churchyard. At the same time, they say (girl): "Christ is risen", and (boy): "Truly, He is risen!" This innocent, traditional "Easter kiss" is actually their first kiss. Tolstoy writes: "There is a point in the love between man and woman when that love reaches its zenith; when it is free from consciousness, reason and sensuality. Such a moment arrived for Nekhludoff that Easter morn."

How beautifully written! God is love and where there is true love between two people, there is God in their midst.

Here is the Paschal greeting in 34 languages:

Albanian (Tosk): Krishti u ngjall! Vërtet u ngjall!
Arabic: المسيح قام! حقا قام!
Armenian: Քրիստոս յարեաւ ի մեռելոց՜ Օրհնեալ է Յարութիւնն Քրիստոսի՜
Belarusian: Хрыстос уваскрос! Сапраўды ўваскрос!
Bulgarian: Христос възкръсна! Наистина възкръсна!
Chinese: 基督复活了！确实复活了！
Croatian: Krist uskrsnu! Uistinu uskrsnu!
Czech: Kristus je vzkříšen! Vskutku je vzкříšen!
Dutch: Christus is opgestaan! Hij is waarlijk opgestaan!
English: Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen!
Estonian: Kristus on üles tõusnud! Tõesti, Ta on üles tõusnud!
Finnish: Kristus nousi kuolleista! Totisesti nousi!
French: Le Christ est ressuscité! Vraiment Il est ressuscité!
Georgian: ქრისტე აღსდგა! ჭეშმარიტად აღსდგა!
German: Christus ist auferstanden! Er ist wahrhaftig auferstanden!
Greek: Χριστός ἀνέστη! Ἀληθῶς ανέστη!
Hebrew: המשיח קם! באמת קם!‎
Hindustani: येसु मसीह ज़िन्दा हो गया है! हाँ यक़ीनन, वोह ज़िन्दा हो गया है!
Hungarian: Krisztus feltámadt! Valóban feltámadt!
Italian: Cristo è risorto! È veramente risorto!
Japanese: ハリストス復活！実に復活！
Lithuanian: Kristus prisikėlė! Tikrai prisikėlė!
Macedonian: Христос воскресна! Навистина воскресна!
Norwegian: Kristus er oppstanden! Han er sannelig oppstanden!
Polish: Chrystus zmartwychwstał! Prawdziwie zmartwychwstał!
Portuguese: Cristo ressuscitou! Em verdade ressuscitou!
Romanian: Hristos a înviat! Adevărat a înviat!
Russian: Христос Воскресе! Воистину Воскресе!
Serbian: Христос васкрсе! Ваистину васкрсе!
Slovak: Kristus z mŕtvych vstal! Skutočne z mŕtvych vstal!
Spanish: Cristo ha resucitado! Verdaderamente, ha resucitado!
Swedish: Kristus är uppstånden! Ja, Han är verkligen uppstånden!
Turkish: İsa dirildi! Hakikaten dirildi!
Ukrainian: Христос воскрес! Воістину воскрес!

My home church where I attended the Easter Midnight
Mass. Both my parents' funeral services has been held
in the same place. This church is build in 1827 by Russian
state (at the time, Finland was a part of Russian Empire).

From Desert into Garden

I'm not an actual poet, but from time to time I like to try to express my heart and thoughts with poetry. Poetry is the shortest and most succinct form of literary art, not so easy literature but not also too difficult if we just allow freedom to our spirit. Poetry does not need to be too regimented. There are many "schools" in poetry, but style can be also completely free. The most important thing is thought or feeling, and they are universal issues regardless the language.

My poem is written in a quite classical style including the rhymes. In this poem, I used Biblical metaphors and symbols, such words like desert, garden, thirst, and bowl. So, by knowing something about the Biblical usage, you can understand the meaning of my poem. For example, "the sun" is a symbol of Christ in the Bible, but we humans can also see Christ in each other (The Gospel According to Matthew 25:37-40). Similarly, we can sometimes be an angels ("messengers of God") to each other.

Thanks to my friend for the Russian translation.

From Desert into Garden

In the heart of the desert, in the heat of the day,

all alone I was dying of thirst and lost my way.

A humble angel came and filled my empty bowl,

she was wounded for my sake to restore my soul.

Now she is the sun whom my planet is revolving around,

in the heart of the desert is a sacred garden I have found.

Teisuka (12th of March, 2013)

A direct Russian translation by Gilmore:

Из пустыни в сад

В сердце пустыни, в жаре дня,

в одиночку я умер от жажды и потерял мой путь.

Безропотный ангел приехала и наполнила мою чашу,

она получила рану для меня, спасти мою душу.

Сейчас она солнце, й планета моя о ней вращать,

в сердце пустыни есть священное сад, которого я нашёл.

In the Eastern Orthodox Liturgy

Me praying in the Orthodox Church (Vaasa, 2012).
This is so called Memorial Table (Finnish: vainajien
muistelupöytä, Russian: канун). At that time, I
prayed for my dead mother. Photo by Gilmore.

On Sunday morning, I took part in Eastern Orthodox Liturgy called The Veneration of the Cross (Finnish: Ristinkumartamisen sunnuntai, Russian: Крестопоклонная). It is a part of the Great Lent (Finnish: Suuri paasto, Russian: Великий пост) and is celebrated on the third Sunday. The veneration comes on this day because it is the midpoint of the forty days of Great Lent.

Great Lent, or the Great Fast, is the fasting season, which prepares Christians for the greatest feast of the church year, Easter, or Pascha in the Orthodox Church (Finnish: Pääsiäinen, Russian: Пасх).

"Have mercy on us, O God…" These words were repeated over and over again in the Liturgy. And these are some Bible verses sung in the Liturgy:

"If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever would save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s shall save it. For what doth it profit a man, to gain the whole world, and forfeit his life? For what should a man give in exchange for his life?" (Christ's words in The Gospel of Mark 8:34-37.)

"Having then a great high priest, who hath passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but one that hath been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help us in time of need." (The Epistle to the Hebrews 4:14-16.)

During the Liturgy, the priest brought the cross out into the center of the church, where it was venerated by the clergy and faithful. Finally, everyone kissed the cross. Very beautiful and touching event. After Liturgy, I lighted two candles and I prayed especially for three persons (one of them was in surgery last Friday). Then I had a private talk with the priest.

This was a very special day for me, and I felt God's guidance. Actually, when I look back in my life, I can recognize the Divine providence here and there along the way... I have been interested in Eastern Christianity since my mother's death in July 2011. Frankly, I am more than just interested. I feel this beautiful religion brings me a peace and light.

✿⊱╮ ✿⊱╮ ✿⊱╮✿⊱╮✿⊱╮✿⊱╮✿⊱╮

The photo in this article is taken last summer in Vaasa. Yesterday, I had no camera with me. The video below is made by my friend Nika for two years ago. It contains an Orthodox Christian chanting. I recommend you to listen to it. Very beautiful and peaceful sacred music, which calms down our restless mind. Thank you, Nika, that I can use your lovely video again. Be blessed, my dear friend.

Blessings to everyone! :)

Greetings from cold (-18 °C) and snowy Finland,

Teisuka

The Kalevala: Finland's National Epic

The Kalevala is a magical book, full of old wisdom,

myths, spells, and exciting adventures.

February 28 is the Kalevala Day, and the day of Finnish Culture. The Kalevala is a national epic of Finland and one of the most significant works of Finnish literature. It's an epic poetry compiled by Elias Lönnrot from Finnish and Karelian oral folklore and mythology. The Kalevala is almost like a "holy book" or Finland's own Bible for some patriotic people. For my part, I love this book!

The first version of The Kalevala was published in 1835, and the final version was published in 1849. This book contains a fifty poems, full of magic, spells, myths, folk wisdom, and exciting adventures of old heroes (gods).

The Kalevala is Finland's most translated work of literature. It has been translated into 61 languages, including English, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, German, French, and Spanish. A well-known English writer J. R. R. Tolkien was a huge fan of The Kalevala!

The Magical Power of the Music

Väinämöinen is the central character of The Kalevala. He is a wise man who knows good magic, and hero with many adventures. According to Finnish mythology, Väinämöinen is also a god. Magic of Väinämöinen is in his songs. When he sings hills shake and water moves! He sings his enemy, Joukahainen, to sink in swamp. Väinämöinen plays a magical kantele.

Kantele is a traditional Finnish stringed instrument that resembles and is played like a zither. Kantele is also related to the ancient Asian instruments such as Chinese gu zheng and Japanese koto. Kantele is a national instrument and symbol of Finland.

Here I list some other symbols of Finland; two of them are national symbols of Russia, too:

Brown bear (Finnish: karhu) national animal (also in Russia)
Whooper Swan (Finnish: laulujoutsen) national bird
Finnhorse (Finnish: suomenhevonen) national horse
Granite (Finnish: graniitti) national rock
Lily of the Valley (Finnish: kielo) national flower
Birch (Finnish: koivu) national tree (also in Russia)

 

Kantele is a traditional Finnish stringed instrument,

and also national instrument and symbol of Finland.

Similarities with Asian Cultures

Some scientists says that even 25 % of the genes of Finns comes from the Asia. Part of original Finns (Finno-Ugric people) were ancient nomads from the East. When they lived close by the Silk Road about 3000 years ago, they were dealing with other Asian nomadic people.

That's why there are many similar old myths and legends in Finland, Japan, China and India (for example, so-called World egg myth). It has been said that Finland is the most Asian country in Europe!

Finally, one quote from The Kalevala. This is an ancient Finnish blessing according to English translation:

Grant, O Ukko, our Creator,

Grant to us, thy needful children,

Peace, and happiness, and plenty,

That our lives may be successful,

That our days may end in honor.

I recommend this amazing and mystical book to everyone who are interested in Finnish mythology and old poetry. Happy Kalevala Day! （＾—＾）

Teisuka

Joukahainen's Revenge (1897), a painting by Akseli

Gallen-Kallela, who is best known for his illustrations

of the Kalevala. His work was considered very

important for the Finnish national identity.

Nocturnal Poem

Just a humble poem, inspired by the nocturnal video made by my dear friend Nika (see the video below). （＾—＾）

The city is bright, full of light,

we are walking in the night,

coming from nowhere

but the history is here.

Hourglass full of sand,

your hand is in my hand.

O, no haste, no waste -

this is more than reality:

pure moment of eternity!

Winter Walk With My Camera

I like walking, it's almost like a hobby for me. Sometimes "I like to walk with my camera" too, quoting the slogan of my dear friend who engages in photography. Actually, I promised her many weeks ago to take some landscape photos from my city located in Western Finland. So here we go. I'm a little late, but better later than never, right? (￣ー￣)

I took these pictures on January 20th (2013) at the park near my home. It is one of my favorite places here. Weather was really nice: a lot of snow and sunshine, and temperature was -8 °C or 17.6 °F. I really love winter like this. （＾—＾）

The last photo is older. It is taken in December 2010 from my backyard.

(Click the pictures to see them bigger.)

P.S. The "soundtrack of my life" these days is Schubert's Winterreise ("Winter Journey"), a song cycle for (baritone) voice and piano. It is one of my favorite classical works, and every winter I'm listening to it numerous of times. You can listen to it here.

Frosty winter scene from my balcony (I live in a
4th floor). The frozen trees looks great. At that
time temperature was between -20 °C / -30 °C.

Sretensky Monastery in Moscow - Built in Memory of Miracle

The history of Holy Russia includes many amazing stories. One of them is about the Sretensky Monastery (Russian: Сретенский монастырь, Москва) and the icon called 'Our Lady of Vladimir' aka 'Theotokos of Vladimir' (Russian: Владимирская икона Божией Матери). This story is for the glory of God.

An old monastery in the heart of the modern metropolis. Photos by Nika.

 

 

On August 26, 1395, invasion of a Turkic ruler Tamerlane (Timur) threatened Moscow. A huge army of enemy soldiers came closer and closer. The Muscovites were afraid, and prepared to martyrdom. In this situation, the ruling Prince commanded to bring an old miracle-working icon from Vladimir to Moscow to protect the capital city from the invasion of the enemy.

According to the OrthodoxWiki: "Along the way, on both sides of the road, countless people prayed kneeling: 'O Mother of God, save the land of Russia!' At that same time, when the people of Moscow were meeting the Vladimir Icon on Kuchkov Field, Tamerlane while sleeping in his camp, dreamed of a great mountain, at the summit of which were the holy hierarchs with golden staffs coming towards him. Above them, in a brilliant radiance, was a Majestic Woman. She commanded him to leave Russia. Awakening in fright, Tamerlane asked the meaning of the vision. The experts answered that the Radiant Lady was the Mother of God, the great Protectress of Christians. Tamerlane then gave the order for his troops to retreat."

It was a miracle, that big army just turned away without any battle! The Mother of God had saved Moscow!

The grateful monarch founded the monastery to the memory of miracle. Sretensky Monastery was built on the spot where the Muscovites and the ruling Prince, Vasily I of Moscow, had met the icon.

Orthodox Christians in Russia believe that 'Vladimir Mother of God' has saved Moscow many times during the history. The last time was in December 1941, when the Nazis attacked Moscow. This sacred image is very old. It is said that icon was painted by the Evangelist Luke himself! The icon is presently located in the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow.

On this week my dear Russian friend Nika visited Sretensky Monastery and made a short documentary film about it. Please see her video and enjoy the sacred trip. You can feel the wings of history!

The photos in this article (except the icon) are taken by Nika. This is our first collaboration, and I'm grateful for that. We wish you all God's blessing. God is the Lord of history, and this is why miracles happen.

Teisuka & Nika

 

'Our Lady of Vladimir' aka 'Theotokos of
Vladimir', an old miracle-working icon,
has saved Moscow many times.

Attachment: Hymn (Troparion) of Theotokos of Vladimir

O Mistress, Empress and Lady,
Defend all who are in danger and misfortune
Or weak from many sins,
And who stand before your holy Icon
Praying with tears, humility, repentance, and invincible hope,
Free them from all evil,
Give them the grace they need.
And save us all, O Virgin Mother of God,
For Your are the divine refuge of those who follow you!