Orthodox Easter Monday in Australia

Easter season is one of the most important seasons in the Orthodox Church calendar. Orthodox Easter Sunday, in particular, is a much awaited event which highlights the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. The day following this important celebration is the Orthodox Easter Monday, an event also being recognized by many Orthodox Churches around the globe.

What Happens During Orthodox Easter Monday?

The Easter season for Orthodox community consists of a line-up of celebrations in the commemoration of the rising of Jesus Christ. This begins with the Great Lent and ends 40 days after. In other words, Orthodox community prepared for the Easter season for 40 days which mostly consist of spiritual preparations, life reflections, fasting, and repentance.  It is a common practice to break the fast through the celebrations that happen during the Easter Sunday. It is the best time for Orthodox community to feast on Easter foods and have merry-making activities.

The day following the Orthodox Easter Sunday is commonly called Orthodox Easter Monday, but it has become a practice to call it the Bright Monday. This day represents the end of the Orthodox community’s fasting and mourning which signals a bright new day. Many Orthodox people spend the day like an extension of the Easter Sunday and they eat Easter food leftovers. Due to the many celebrations that transpired the day before, some also see the Orthodox Easter Monday as the opportune time to rest and slow things down.

 Orthodox Churches hold liturgies on the early morning of Orthodox Easter Monday and many members of the Orthodox community attend the gathering for further reflection in life and spiritual growth.

Orthodox Easter Monday Celebrations

Some countries like Ukraine, Bulgaria, Romania, Cyprus, Republic of Macedonia, and Greece declare Orthodox Easter Monday as a holiday. Australia has a strong presence of Orthodox community, but Australia does not have federal Orthodox Easter public holiday. Schools, public offices, and government departments are open during this Orthodox event. Similarly, Orthodox Easter Monday does not affect the flow of activity in Australia’s commercial areas. Many establishments such as shops and restaurants operate on regular business hours on Orthodox Easter Monday. All transport companies operate on this day and traffic is not obstructed as well. 

Meanwhile, employees who belong to the Orthodox community may file a leave of absence if they want to take part of the celebrations of the Orthodox Easter Monday, if there is any. But very few consider this option and most of them choose to proceed to work. If there is any line-up of events for Orthodox Easter Monday, Orthodox employees usually just do it after their work schedules.