Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| Христо́с воскре́с | greeting |
| Све́тлой Па́схи | Svétloj Pásxi |
| Счастли́вой Па́схи | Sčastlívoj Pásxi |
| вои́стину воскре́с | reply |
The expressions used for Easter in Russian range from traditional religious formulas to modern secular greetings. While English speakers often use a general "Happy Easter," Russian speakers frequently use the religious greeting Христо́с воскре́с (Christ is risen).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase Све́тлой Па́схи is in the genitive case and literally means "of Bright Easter".
Which one should you use?
The religious greeting Христо́с воскре́с (Christ is risen) is the most common traditional way to greet someone. For a more traditional, religious sentiment, you can use Све́тлой Па́схи (Of Bright Easter). In contrast, Счастли́вой Па́схи serves as a more direct, secular translation of "Happy Easter".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase Све́тлой Па́схи uses the genitive case to mean "of Bright Easter".
When do people say it?
When using the traditional religious greeting Христо́с воскре́с, the standard liturgical response is вои́стину воскре́с (Truly He is risen).
Did you know?
- The term Па́сха refers both to the holiday of Easter and to the specific traditional Russian curd cheese cake eaten during the celebration.
- Because the Russian Orthodox Church follows the Julian calendar, the day people say Христо́с воскре́с often differs from the date Western Christians celebrate Easter by several weeks.
- The greeting Христо́с воскре́с is often accompanied by the custom of kissing the opposite sex on the cheek three times, a tradition known as 'paschal kissing'.
Examples in context
- Христос Воскрес! С Праздником Пасхи!Christ is Risen! Happy Easter!
- Дорогой друг, с Пасхой! Желаю ярких впечатлений и счастливых моментов в этот светлый праздник!Dear friend, with Easter! Wishing you bright impressions and happy moments during this joyous holiday!
Example conversation
Andrey and Maria meet on the street on Easter morning.
- Андрей AndreyМария, здравствуй! Христо́с воскре́с!Mariya, zdravstvuy! Khristos voskres!Hello, Maria! Happy Easter!
- Мария MariaЗдравствуй, Андрей! Вои́стину воскре́с!Zdravstvuy, Andrey! Voistinu voskres!Hello, Andrey! Truly He is risen!
- Андрей AndreyТы идёшь в храм?Ty idyosh' v khran?Are you going to the church?
- Мария MariaДа, я иду с семьёй.Da, ya idu s sem'yoy.Yes, I am going with my family.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “happy Easter” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
