Not only Orthodox Christians but also adherents of other religions and non-believers are going to color eggs and make Easter cakes to celebrate Easter.
MOSCOW, April 26, 2019. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the results of a survey devoted to Easter.
Most of Russians know when Easter is celebrated this year: 77% give the right answer about the date. Those who are well aware are mainly Orthodox Christians (85%) but also many non-believers (61%). Women (87%), elderly respondents (85%) and rural area residents (80%) know that Easter is celebrated on April 28 this year. Only 8% of Russians was wrong about the date. In addition, 50% of respondents know exactly what is referred to as Easter (Resurrection of Jesus). Fifteen percent of Russians do not know the Easter date; they are mainly non-believers (33%), men (25%) and young Russians (38%).
Most of Russians observe Easter-related traditions. In 2019, 48% of respondents are going to cook Easter cakes, breads and to color eggs; 21% will consecrate them at church. A further 44% are going to friends’ house or will receive guests; 11% will give gifts. Eleven percent of Russians are going to attend the Night Vigil. Eighteen percent of respondents are not going to celebrate Easter (35% of the 18-24-year-olds).
VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on April 24, 2019. The survey involved 1,600 Russians aged 18 and over. The survey was telephone-based and was carried out using stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of landline and mobile phone numbers operating in Russia. The data were weighted according to selection probability and social and demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 2.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.
Do you know when the Orthodox Christians celebrate Easter this year? If yes, provide the date please. (open-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
Right answers | 77 |
Wrong answers | 8 |
I do not remember | 0 |
Don’t know | 15 |
What is celebrated on Easter? (open-ended question, up to 5 answers, % of total respondents; answers of at least 1% of respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
Resurrection of Christ | 50 |
Birth of Christ | 6 |
Great Orthodox holiday | 4 |
Commemorating those who passed away | 4 |
End of Fast | 3 |
Beginning of spring | 1 |
Coloring eggs, cooking kulich (Easter cakes) | 1 |
Celebrating in a family circle, with relatives | 1 |
Going to church, receiving Communion | 1 |
This holiday is a symbol of belief in Christ | 1 |
Symbol of eternal life, revival | 1 |
Other | 2 |
Don’t know | 32 |
Are you going to celebrate Easter? If yes, how are you going to do that? (closed-ended question, any number of answers, % of total respondents) | ||||||||
| 2005 | 2009 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 |
I am going to make Easter dishes (cakes, breads, eggs) | 46 | 64 | 67 | 68 | 64 | 52 | 59 | 48 |
I am going to my friends’ house; I am going to receive guests | 23 | 38 | 39 | 38 | 41 | 46 | 39 | 44 |
I am going to consecrate Easter cakes, breads, eggs at church | 14 | 27 | 29 | 32 | 30 | 26 | 24 | 21 |
I will go to cemetery | 11 | 29 | 25 | 20 | 24 | 23 | 18 | 16 |
I will give gifts to friends, relatives | 1 | 7 | 6 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 11 |
I will attend the All-night Vigil | 3 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 11 |
Other | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 11 | 5 | 4 |
I will not celebrate Easter | 12 | 12 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 18 |
Don’t know | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Are you going to celebrate Easter? If yes, how are you going to do that? (closed-ended question, any number of answers, % of total respondents) | ||||
| Total respondents | Orthodox Christians | Adherents of other religions | Non-believers |
I am going to make Easter dishes (cakes, breads, eggs) | 48 | 57 | 27 | 24 |
I am going to my friends’ house; I am going to receive guests | 44 | 48 | 32 | 33 |
I am going to consecrate Easter cakes, breads, eggs at church | 21 | 27 | 10 | 5 |
I will go to cemetery | 16 | 19 | 8 | 12 |
I will attend the All-night Vigil | 11 | 14 | 4 | 1 |
I will give gifts to friends, relatives | 11 | 12 | 6 | 7 |
I will not celebrate Easter | 18 | 8 | 43 | 42 |
Other | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
Don’t know | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!