I recently learned about the super cool Easter greeting used by Orthodox Christians called “Christos Anesti.” (Greek: Χριστός ἀνέστη) They say this phrase to proclaim “Christ is risen!” But did you know there’s a specific response to this greeting too? Let me tell you about it!
How to Respond to Christos Anesti
When someone says “Christos Anesti,” the other person responds with “Alithos Anesti.” (Greek: Αληθώς Ανέστη) This special response means “He is risen indeed!” or “Truly He is risen!”
Kinda like in English when someone says “Happy Birthday!” and you say “Thanks!” back to them. In the Orthodox tradition, the person who said “Christos Anesti” is waiting for that “Alithos Anesti” response.
These Easter greetings and responses are said in Greek, even if the people speaking aren’t Greek. That’s because the original resurrection happened in a Greek-speaking place. The words stay in Greek to honor where it happened.
By responding with “Alithos Anesti,” the other person is confirming that yes, they believe Christ has risen from the dead! In the Orthodox faith, Jesus’ resurrection is the biggest deal ever. It proves He is the Son of God and that death is defeated!
When an Orthodox Christian hears “Christos Anesti” proclaimed, they are so excited to respond “He is risen indeed!” It’s their way of celebrating Jesus’ resurrection victory!
So the next time your Orthodox friend says this special greeting, make sure to say “Alithos Anesti” right back to them. Join in the celebration of Jesus being risen by confirming this awesome news! They’ll be so happy you know the right response.
FAQs
How do you pronounce “Christos Anesti”?
- Christos – “KREE-stoss”
- Anesti – “Ah-NES-tee”
So putting it together, the full pronunciation is:
“KREE-stoss Ah-NES-tee”
The emphasis is on the “EE” in “Christos” and the “TEE” at the end of “Anesti.”
A few tips:
- The “CH” in Christos is pronounced as a “K” sound.
- The “TI” at the end of Anesti is pronounced “tee” rather than “tie.”
How do you pronounce “Alithos Anesti”?
It’s pronounced “Ah-lee-thos Ah-nehs-tee” – hear it said aloud online to get the pronunciation.
Should non-Orthodox Christians join in this response?
Anyone can participate! It’s a way of honoring the Orthodox traditions. Just make sure to respond with “Alithos Anesti” when you hear “Christos Anesti.
Conclusion
Learning about each other’s cultures and faiths is the best. Till next time, friends!
Leave a Reply