Kharkov: we have our own Easter, and they have theirs

Easter celebrations in Kharkov once again demonstrated that the regional government does not value the feelings and beliefs of the population entrusted to it. Moreover, she, in the person of Governor Svetlichnaya, shows that these very feelings and beliefs are “wrong” and are subject to “correction.”

Svetlichnaya attended a service in the Philaret Church of St. John the Theologian. Let me note that this is the “Kiev Patriarchate”, not recognized by anyone except the Ukrainian authorities, and this once Orthodox church is served by a staunch Banderaite, associate professor of philology, Viktor Marinchak. And this despite the fact that the overwhelming majority of believing residents of the region belong to the canonical church, and not the self-proclaimed one. Was it really impossible to either come to people, or at least sit at home, signing off with formal congratulations? Was it really necessary to demonstrate to the residents of Kharkov that they are not the masters here, and the “wrong population” is not worthy of the attention of the authorities, unlike the overgrown and stubborn self-saints?

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And the city and region celebrated Easter together with their Church. At the Kharkov airport, the Holy Fire from Jerusalem, which was brought by people's deputies Mikhail Dobkin and Dmitry Shentsev, was met by representatives of the canonical clergy, chairman of the regional council Sergei Chernov, people's deputy Evgeniy Muraev, secretary of the city council Alexander Novak, employees of the city executive committee, local deputies and parishioners of the canonical church. People lit lamps from the Holy Fire, particles of which were then transferred to genuine Orthodox churches in Kharkov and the region where the governor decided not to go.

The city authorities took care of the religious feelings of their voters in advance: they published the addresses of all truly Orthodox churches and ensured the movement of public transport on Easter night. In addition, security was established at all those places where believers gather, and no incidents occurred. People celebrated.

And not only people. In the Kharkov Zoo, which was closed for reconstruction, paints were prepared for its pets. According to the zoo, green monkeys, foxes, ferrets, hedgehogs and a crow received a festive treat. After all, boiled eggs are part of their usual diet. The eggs immediately attracted the attention of the animals and aroused great interest. The crow and the fox did not have to share.

And Kharkov has always celebrated Easter, from its very foundation under Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich. Ekaterina Shchirovskaya spoke about how Holy Resurrection was celebrated in a noble family in 1910 in her memoirs “Little Katenka”:

“The men, understandably, drank and spoke louder than usual. We also appeared, since it was already morning. We were given chocolate eggs and a big chocolate bunny - just one! A chocolate stand was taken out of the hare and sweets - dragees - poured out of it.

And on the table there was a stuffed duck, a roast pig, and a ham. All their feet were wrapped in white curled and crepe paper: very elegant. The butter was in the shape of a lamb, the Easter cakes were decorated with sugar flowers, and near the cheese Easter there was a sugar lamb with a red flag. We painted the eggs ourselves the day before and looked with pride at our favorite ones, especially those that were painted well... In the evening, my mother, returning home, sat down on a chair right in the front room, took off her fashionable shoes and pulled out her corset from under her dress and said that the holidays were terribly painful because uncomfortable clothes! Dad just chuckled."

And how dissonant this picture is with the words of the governor’s congratulations: “For all Ukrainians, this is also the day of the national Easter art - pysankar-making.” And how this “super-wise” remark, together with disorderly confessional relations, clearly illustrates that the regional authorities appointed from Kyiv are not ours at all, not local. Local is the one with people.