Easter joy

The first person who congratulated me on Easter today was my close friend, a Karachay. A young woman professing Islam. She called me this morning and said: “Christ is risen.”

“Truly he is risen, Madina,” I answered her with joy. Because it is a joyful holiday.

And she began to remember how they usually celebrated Easter in Karachaevsk. Besides her, there were four more children in the family and they all loved and knew about this holiday. Her family was always friends with its neighbors, among whom there were many non-Karachais: Russians, Ossetians, Georgians. Behind the wall lived an elderly Russian woman who began baking Easter cakes on Friday evening. And the whole entrance smelled of vanilla and baking. The children were fascinated by this smell, and they understood that Aunt Lida was preparing for Easter. And in the morning, on Easter Sunday, she carried her Easter cakes to the neighbors, mainly to those who had children. A small Easter cake for every child, and colored eggs. Other neighbors and acquaintances also brought Easter cakes and eggs. And according to my friend, by the time the children in the family woke up, the entire table in the kitchen was covered with Easter cakes, colorful eggs, fruits and sweets as gifts.

- It was such a naturally established tradition. And this story repeated itself year after year. We even guessed by the appearance of the Easter cake which neighbor or friend brought it. And they were never wrong,” says my friend. And when she herself had her own children, two sons - twins, the tradition did not stop. Only now Easter cakes were brought to her children, the children of her older brother. And the children willingly ate Easter cakes and eggs. They knew that today Easter is a big Christian holiday. And no one thought that something was wrong here.

And when major Muslim holidays were celebrated, they, in turn, congratulated their non-Muslim neighbors. On Uraza Bayram, Madina’s mother baked a huge amount of Karachay flatbreads – khichins. I baked a lot of sweets. The father and other men - relatives and neighbors - were preparing sacrificial ram meat. There was a lot of preparation going on. Not just because of the big family. But also because everyone will celebrate, including the neighbors. Everyone is Muslim and non-Muslim. And the neighbors - Christians, Muslims, atheists - gratefully accepted the treat and congratulated each other on the holiday. And again, no one thought that anything was wrong here.

And I think that's good. I'm glad that Madina called to congratulate me on Easter. And I will call in due time to congratulate her on Eid. There is no point in arguing about whose God is truer. We respect each other's beliefs and do not engage in theological disputes. For what?

Happy Easter everyone!