March 2015

Orthodox Easter Eggs in Russia & Ukraine

Easter

Easter is one of the most important religious observances of the year in the Orthodox calendar. This holiday is not just a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, it brings people peace, joy, and hope. Both children and adults are looking forward to a big family feast held on Easter Sunday that falls this year on April 12, 2015, featuring numerous Easter treats including Easter bread Kulich, Paskha, and of course Easter eggs.

Easter Eggs Tradition

Easter egg decorating is a tradition shared by many cultures throughout the world, from children using stickers and vegetable dye, to professional artists creating sophisticated and elaborate designs. Though now, egg decorating is associated with the Christian Easter, the roots of the tradition go back to over 60,000 years ago in Africa and about 5,000 years ago in Egypt. The pagan ritual of welcoming spring, with the egg being a symbol of fertility and revival, was later adopted by Christians.

The tradition of dyeing Easter eggs started in the beginning of the 17th century. Traditionally Orthodox Easter eggs are dyed in red, the color that is symbolic of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Red signifies his blood, the shell represents the tomb, and the cracking of eggs is the release and the resurrection.

Later the tradition of coloring eggs for Easter has evolved, using more complex designs and techniques, and especially spread throughout the Slavic communities, including Russia, Ukraine and other Eastern European countries.

Krashenki – Orthodox Easter Eggs Tradition

Krashenki are Easter eggs painted in one color. Initially, Orthodox Easter eggs were red, orange, or brown, and only later such colors as yellow, green, blue were used in decoration patterns. Orthodox Russians and Ukrainians used edible herbs, as well as local or exotic plants to prepare dyes for Easter eggs decoration. The first natural dye (widely used to this day) was made by boiling onion peel in water. Green dyes were prepared from clover leaves, parsley and rosemary. Yellow dyes from saffron, cumin, weak broth of onion peel and lime tea steep.

Depending on the method of Easter eggs decoration in Orthodox tradition, different techniques were called Krashenki and Pysanki. Later, the Russians and Ukrainians started to make Easter eggs either very simple or sophisticated and exclusive made of precious metals and stones.

Pysanka – Ukranian Easter Eggs

Traditional Ukranian Easter eggs, pysanka, are ornately decorated eggs that use the wax-relief method. These eggs are embellished with traditional Ukrainian motifs, including the Orthodox cross, plants, birds, and other objects of nature. This ornaments have originated during pagan times as a ritual, celebrating the god of sun and rebirth. Later when Christianity came to Ukraine, egg decorating was adapted as an Easter tradition.

The Pysanka Easter eggs are surrounded by legends and superstitions, especially as a way to scare away evil spirits. Each design and color has their own meaning. Each family would usually have at least 50 eggs on Easter Sunday to give away as gifts to relatives and friends.

Fabergé Eggs in Russia

The best known decorative Easter eggs were made in Russia by well-known jeweller Peter Carl Fabergé. Fabergé was first commissioned in 1885 by Russian Tsar Alexander III who wanted to give his wife, Maria Fedorovna a special Easter gift.

The first commissioned Imperial Fabergé egg was simple at first glance: a realistic looking egg made of gold coated in white enamel. Inside the egg there was a gold yolk, that also opened and contained a minute golden hen with ruby eyes. The hen also opened to reveal a tiny egg shaped ruby pendant.

The tsarina loved the gift so much that her husband made it an annual Easter ritual to present her a new Fabergé egg. Their son continued the tradition, commissioning two new eggs each year for both his mother and wife. About 50 unique Easter eggs (known as the Imperial Eggs) were created by Fabergé for the royal family between 1885 and 1917. All Fabergé eggs were created from gold or other precious metals, decorated with gemstones, and covered in a thin layer of translucent enamel. Each with its own unique intricate design, the tiny eggs opened, hiding a surprise inside.

For more Easter gift ideas please visit www.RussianFlora.com

Gift Set to Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Celebrate spring and renewal in your relationship and life in general with a stunning bouquet of fresh flowers, the symbol of rebirth. Put together with love by our skilful florists, this flower arrangement combines contrasting passionate red and pastel pink roses, soft white lilies, and vibrant greenery. For an extra sweet and thoughtful touch pair the flowers with delicious gourmet chocolate and a bottle of great sparkling Italian wine. Whether it’s a special occasion or other reason to celebrate life, this wonderful gift to Uzbekistan will help you make the day even more special and memorable!

Gift Set to Ufa, Russia

Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush.
~Doug Larson

As they say ‘No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow.’ Even if spring is running late this year you can hasten it by sending the important people in your life a beautiful bouquet to Ufa that screams warmth and sun. Soft pastel flowers, vibrant greenery, and stylish packaging all make a wonderful centerpiece that will cheer up and brighten the lives of your dear recipients regardless of the weather outside. To add a little extra warmth to your surprise, compliment it with a bottle of bubbly, gourmet chocolate in a box, and a nice card with a personalized message. Wish happy Easter, Passover, birthday, or just say I Miss You with a gift that is sure to put a smile on their face!

Bouquet of Roses Ternopol, Ukraine

Keep surprising the special lady in your life with fresh flowers to Ukraine even if Valentine’s Day, Birthday or Anniversary is already over. An unexpected surprise usually makes the best impression! Arrange the delivery at the time she least expects it and our local florist will make sure it arrives on time and your dear recipient opens the door to a beautiful flower arrangement waiting for her at the doorstep. Or deliver a vase with fragrant flowers to her office and she starts her morning with a stunning gift and a card from a secret admirer. The ways of making their day truly special are endless. Just use your imagination and we will make sure to bring your ideas to life!

Flowers Arrangement to Novosibirsk, Russia

Love is the poetry of the senses.
~Honoré de Balzac

This exquisite, gentle and sophisticated bouquet was created by our florists inspired by spring. Soft pink roses, sky blue alstroemerias and other seasonal flowers mixed with subtle greenery are stylishly wrapped to create one of the most romantic bouquets in our catalog. Great for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries and birthdays, it will be a perfect choice when you want to reveal your heart for the first time, remind of your passionate love, or simply say I Miss You. Worth of hundreds words, this charming bouquet to Russia will help you win the heart of your very special someone in no time!

Gift Set to Moscow, Russia

RussianFlora.com have again provided me with the means to send gifts to my loved ones in Russia and show my family and in particular my wife of the love I have for her. RussianFlora.com were so prompt in their responses to my order and the many questions I posed to them and quite accommodating in all aspects of the order right up until delivery. It is the second time I have used them. The first time was 2 years ago to the month and five months after my initial dealings and the gift they delivered to my wife, we were married so this business has participated somewhat in bringing happiness to my wife and I.

Thank you Catherine Cussack and Dan Philips!!

Brian G.

Check out our complete flowers to Moscow catalog at www.RussianFlora.com

Spring Bouquet to Sumy, Ukraine

Even if there’s still snow on the ground, you know that spring is here when all local flower shops are overflowing with beautiful tulips of all colors of the rainbow. If you didn’t have a chance to welcome spring and wish a happy International Women’s Day to all the important women in your life, do it now! The first choice for a spring bouquet to Ukraine to give to your mother, wife, sister, girlfriend, or mother-in-law will definitely be tulips! Beloved by women of all ages and from all over the world, fresh tulips will make a great surprise for any spring celebration or just because.

Give Her Smile With Bouquet for Women’s Day

Women’s Day is almost here! Celebrate the most important women in your life, from mothers to wives – and everyone in between – by pampering them with vibrant bouquets, decadent chocolates, and soothing spa gifts. No matter where she is, you can warm her heart, because we’ll deliver right to her door in more than 200 countries. Order now, and use coupon code MARCH8 to save 8%.

Please note, holiday catalog prices will increase on 5 March due to the cost of express delivery from 5 – 11 March. Don’t forget, 8 March 2015 falls on a Sunday this year, so deliveries to offices will be completed Friday, 6 March and Monday, 9 March.

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