In the Western world, most Christians are accustomed to saying, "Happy Easter," whenever they see fellow Christians or family members after Easter Sunday.
It's similar to the "Merry Christmas" greeting that is often used in December.
However, there is an ancient way of greeting each other during the Easter season that is used by both Western and Eastern Christians around the world.
"Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed!"
The ancient custom of the Paschal greeting was originally developed within the context of the liturgy and is still maintained by Eastern Christians today.
It occurs during the Resurrection Matins, a night-time vigil that begins the celebration of Easter on Holy Saturday. According to the Metropolitan Cantor Institute, during the signing of the psalms "the faithful come forward to kiss the hand cross held by the priest, who greets each one: 'Christ is risen!'; and each of the faithful replies, 'Indeed he is risen!'"
Furthermore, during the Easter season the Paschal Troparion in Eastern Churches echoes the greeting:
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life!
The phrase is based on a greeting found in the Gospel of Luke, when those who encountered Jesus on the road to Emmaus went to tell the eleven apostles, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” (Luke 24:34)
Outside of the liturgy the Paschal Greeting has been preserved in the everyday customs of Eastern Christians who greet their friends and relatives throughout the Easter season with a joyous "Christ is risen!"
Some Roman Catholics maintain a similar tradition, especially among priests and religious.
Below is how to say the Pascal Greeting in three different languages:
The Paschal Greeting
"Christ is risen! Indeed, he is risen!"
Christus resurrexit! Resurrexit vere! (Latin)
Christòs anésti! Alithós anésti! (Greek)
