By Vestnik Kavkaza
The Christian world is preparing for Easter. This year Orthodox and Catholic Easters will be celebrated on the same day – April 20th. Many European countries mark Easter as a national holiday. However, as it takes place on Sunday, it is celebrated in some Muslim countries with a Christian population as well. The Caucasus states are not an exception.
People living in the region preserve memories about their Christian past, and on the eve of Easter, the head of the Baku-Azerbaijani diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church, Father Alexander, told Vestnik Kavkaza about inter-religious relations in Azerbaijan: “In Azerbaijan there is a really unique situation: people of different nationalities, different cultures live together and it does not create a distance between them or problems, but mutual benefit. Religions do not separate people, but unite them, followers of different religious traditions.”
“The national leader of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev, once said: "Our multinational character is our resource," Father Alexander says. “Typically, the presence of several nationalities creates problems, for example even in Europe, but in Azerbaijan it is a resource, people complement each other, help each other, celebrate together. Now there are the Easter holidays. Everyone will know that there are Easter holidays, everyone will celebrate. Heads of district administrations and representatives of Russian communities have already addressed me concerning the celebration of the feast of Easter. It is not only about services, but also about some festive events, holiday dinners, meetings, gifts for the poor - it is all organized either by businessmen or certain foundations.”
Thus, Easter is a holiday of all the people. “On the other hand, Muslim holidays such as Eid and Ramadan are also known to everyone, and Muslims try to give gifts not only to their friends and relatives, but also to Christians and Jews. Even Jews who live in Azerbaijan are an integral part of our society. Sometimes an inexperienced person is not able to distinguish between a Jew and a Muslim, because people look so similar and because one cannot feel that people have their backs turned to each other,” Father Alexander concludes.
