I’m doing a production of The Little Match Girl set it in early 20th century St Petersburg. The play starts with a Russian Orthodox funeral service that’s fairly accurate (to some extent). The singing is lovely, though not in Russian 
And I get to do it every day for now! I’m the corpse, which is very enjoyable.
Yes-also (being RC), I wasn’t sure how to cross myself-I realize now the difference!
What is the Easter service like?
ahhhhh, pascha, that is… oh my… quite a bit of standing.
the whole week is an endurance test. some churches have services every day/night starting on great and holy monday and going through to bright monday. others go great and holy thursday to bright monday.
thursday night is technically very early friday morning as the church is sundown to sundown. 12 gospel readings, and the music is primarily in minor keys. many churches have a trio for “the wise thief”. this service goes about 2-3ish hours, if the priest doesn’t cut some parts. (the services are written for monestaries)
friday (unless it is april 7th) will start in the afternoon about 4ish, some churches split the service, others go straight through. if they go straight through it is 3-4 hours, if it is cut in two (usually 3pm and 7pm) 1-2 hours per. the canon which ends with this: Ivanov - "Weep Not For Me, O Mother" - YouTube is followed with a procession around the church.
saturday there is a service that most churches do in the morning, some places do it around 4pm to try and line up with midnight in israel. this service is a hidden gem. most people don’t go to it as they are zipping around getting things ready for the night service and getting baskets and food together, cleaning like crazy people. there are 15 old testament readings, in the middle of the service, (my fav. part) all the church covers and robes worn by priests, deacons, and alterboys are switched from black to white. (this is the part that in theory is to line up with midnight jerusalem) then things resume. it is a service that is between times, between death and resurrection.
then on saturday night around 11ish pm, everyone dresses up in pascal finery, gathers their basket and heads to church, the canon from friday is sung again, and the priest takes the burial cloth to the alter, lights are put out, and everyone stands in the dark waiting for the priest to start singing at midnight. he comes out with a lit candle singing (or reading a prayer, then singing) he lights the candles of the alter boys who in turn light the candles of those in the church. all head outside to walk around the church.
at the end of the procession, the priest turns and calls out: “christ is risen!!!” people answer: “indeed he is risen!!!” and then he starts singing a song you will have memorized by the end of the service. - YouTube nothing is read during the service except for the epistle, gospel, and sermon of st. john. everything must be sung, and mostly in major keys. it can go from 11-2ish am some churches (like mine) go to 4 or 5. it depends on how many go to communion and if parts are cut, ie hours, or antiphones.
bright monday is closer to a regular sunday service with changes here and there. many churches have a “kid’s day” or “woman’s day” it is a day to relax and rest up from the last few days.
it is journey, and worth experiencing, if the music was really good on sunday. it will be another world for this week. this is main holy days for the orthodox.
also you will get an egg at the end of the service in the wee hours of sunday! so you’ve got to hang in there. there will also be a huge amount of kissing. people kissing, 3 kisses each. there is no escape!
that is very cool! how do you stop your nose from itching?
Thanks! One time I did get a really, really bad itch. Right after the service the guy who plays my son comes in (the father of the match girl) and strips the corpse of all the valuable possessions. He is very rough, so I was hoping he would hurry and clear up the itch. It took forever though…
I’m loving being a corpse. Everyone kisses me, which is nice. And I’m surrounded by the beautiful Russian Orthodox singing. 
Paschal services are inordinately long and trying. If you are primarily interested for the experience, just the midnight service is probably your best bet. It alone is usually 4-5 hours and has the best music, the procession, the robe changing, etc… Good for you for attending a service in Slavonic. It is easily twice a beautiful as the English translation that most churches use. For a similar, but still jarringly different experience attend a Greek orthodox church for the Greek service. Unlike the Russians, they rely primarily upon chants in minor key, with the males a females usually separated into parts. It is stunning.
the time is now nigh.
i agree with acid lamp, the midnight service is an amazing one. there is a very intense feeling of anticipation as the midnight hour approaches. it is one of the few things you have the same intense feelings as an adult, that you had as a child.
let us know if you go to any of the services. don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes!
Silly Russkies, Easter was last weekend! 
Back here…now that (RC) Christmas is over, I would like to attend the Russian Orthodox Christmas …January 7th? Any hints on which would be the best to attend?
I think this is all very interesting as someone who appreciates the artistry and cultural value of these kinds of rituals. I hope that as the older, more religious generations die off that these rituals don’t end up becoming lost.
If anyone’s still looking for some info on what Orthodox churches are like and what to expect: 12 Things I Wish I'd Known - Frederica
Try to enter a Mormon Temple - not only must you present a valid membership card, you will be challenged by a sign/countersign dialog. And it ain’t "who won the '40 World Series. And yes, there are bouncers.
If you are not a Mormon, do NOT accept an invitation to a Mormon wedding unless you think standing in the parking lot for 2 hours is a fun time.
Yes, I do have specific issues with specific religions.
Russian Orthodox is not among them.