Orthodox Easter songs elevate the sacred celebration of Pascha, the most important feast in Eastern Christianity. Whether you are attending the midnight resurrection service, gathering with family for the Easter feast, or building a personal playlist of sacred hymns, the music you choose matters deeply. The best songs for Orthodox Easter bridge the gap between ancient Byzantine chants and contemporary worship, filling sanctuaries and living rooms alike with profound theological depth, spiritual reverence, and unshakeable resurrection joy. From centuries-old hymns to traditional recordings that have resonated with congregations and believers around the world, this list covers 20 powerful tracks that capture the essence of Pascha.
This thoroughly verified collection features 20 authentic Orthodox hymns available on YouTube and major streaming platforms, each embodying the spirit of Pascha through themes of resurrection, theological depth, and liturgical beauty. From timeless Byzantine chants that have shaped Orthodox worship for centuries to traditional recordings that speak to modern believers, every song carries genuine historical significance and powerful spiritual messaging. This curated list balances ancient hymns with accessible versions, ensuring meaningful connections for audiences of all backgrounds while honoring the legacy of those who have preserved Orthodox liturgical music throughout the ages.
Christ is Risen (Christos Anesti)
“Christos Anesti” stands as the most essential Orthodox Easter hymn, sung universally at the moment of the resurrection announcement during the midnight service. This triumphant proclamation, typically chanted in Greek as “Χριστὸς ἀνέστη ἐκ νεκρῶν,” serves as both the formal liturgical hymn and the traditional greeting exchanged between Orthodox Christians throughout the entire Paschal season. The melody carries infectious joy that perfectly captures the celebration of Christ’s victory over death, with believers responding “Alithos Anesti” (Truly He is Risen) to complete this sacred exchange. You can find countless recordings on YouTube from Greek, Russian, and Arabic traditions, with the Valaam Monastery Choir and Greek Orthodox cathedral choirs offering particularly powerful renditions that showcase the hymn’s transcendent beauty.
The Paschal Troparion
The Paschal Troparion represents the theological heart of Orthodox Easter worship, proclaiming “Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.” This ancient hymn repeats throughout the Paschal service and the following forty days, embedding its powerful message deep into believers’ hearts through constant repetition. The traditional Byzantine melody features musical elements that illustrate Christ’s descent into Hades followed by the glorious resurrection, creating a sonic representation of the paschal mystery itself. Multiple versions exist across Orthodox traditions, with Greek, Russian, Serbian, and Arabic renditions each bringing unique cultural flavors while maintaining the hymn’s essential theological character and making it easily accessible on streaming platforms and YouTube.
The Angel Cried Out
“The Angel Cried Out” serves as a magnificent Paschal hymn honoring the Theotokos (Mother of God) and celebrating her unique joy at witnessing her Son’s resurrection from the tomb. This hymn appears during the Paschal Divine Liturgy and throughout Bright Week, offering a Marian perspective on the resurrection event that complements the Christ-centered hymns of the feast. The text addresses the Virgin Mary directly, proclaiming “Rejoice, O Pure Virgin! Again I say: Rejoice! Your Son is risen from His three days in the tomb,” before transitioning into the famous “Shine, Shine, O New Jerusalem” section. The Valaam Brotherhood Choir’s recording of this hymn has become particularly beloved, showcasing the traditional Slavonic chant style that has characterized Orthodox worship for centuries, and their performance is readily available on YouTube for those seeking authentic Byzantine musical expression.
Shine, Shine, O New Jerusalem
This glorious hymn proclaims the resurrection as the dawning of eternal light upon the Church, portrayed metaphorically as the New Jerusalem descending from heaven. The text draws heavily from prophetic imagery in Isaiah and Revelation, connecting Christ’s resurrection to the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises to His people across all generations. Musically, this hymn features one of the most majestic and expansive melodies in the entire Paschal service, with soaring phrases that seem to reach toward heaven itself in jubilant praise. The St. Petersburg State Capella Choir and various Greek Orthodox choirs have created stunning recordings that showcase the hymn’s grandeur, making it accessible for parishes of all sizes and for personal listening during the Easter season when exploring different songs that enhance spiritual devotion.
Canon of Pascha by St. John of Damascus
St. John of Damascus composed this magnificent eighth-century masterpiece that remains the absolute centerpiece of the Paschal Matins service to this day. The canon consists of nine odes, each exploring different aspects of the resurrection through rich biblical imagery, theological depth, and poetic beauty that has captivated worshippers for over twelve centuries. When set to traditional Byzantine melodies and chanted by skilled chanters or trained choirs, the Canon of Pascha creates an otherworldly atmosphere that transports worshippers into the mystery of Christ’s triumph over death and Hades. Modern recordings by Orthodox monastery choirs and Byzantine music ensembles have made this profound work accessible beyond the church service, allowing individuals to experience its beauty through quality headphones that can capture the nuances of traditional chant.
Hymn of Kassiane
The Hymn of Kassiane, also known as the “Hymn of the Sinful Woman,” holds a special place in Holy Week services as one of the few Byzantine hymns composed by a woman. Kassiane, a ninth-century Byzantine nun, poet, and composer, created this hauntingly beautiful hymn that is sung every Tuesday evening of Holy Week, not Easter itself, but it profoundly prepares believers for the Paschal celebration. The hymn tells the story of the sinful woman who anointed Jesus’ feet, weaving together themes of repentance, redemption, and divine mercy that resonate deeply during the Lenten journey toward resurrection. Numerous recordings exist on YouTube, including performances by the St. Symeon Orthodox Church Choir and Saint Vladimir’s Seminary Women’s Sextet, each bringing their own interpretive beauty to this centuries-old composition that continues to move hearts across the Orthodox world.
Come Receive the Light
This beautiful hymn accompanies the distribution of the Paschal light at the midnight resurrection service, creating one of the most visually and spiritually moving moments in Orthodox worship. The gentle yet anticipatory melody perfectly complements the sacred act of passing flame from candle to candle until the entire darkened church blazes with light, symbolizing Christ’s illumination of the world. The text invites believers to receive not just physical light but the spiritual illumination that comes from Christ, the Light of the World, who has conquered the darkness of death. Various Orthodox traditions have their own melodic settings, with Greek and Russian versions being particularly popular on YouTube, and contemporary Christian artists have also created accessible recordings suitable for home listening during the extended Paschal celebration that lasts fifty days.
Let God Arise
Based on Psalm 68, “Let God Arise” is chanted dramatically during the procession around the church before the midnight resurrection service begins. The hymn’s martial imagery—describing enemies scattering like smoke and wax melting before fire—powerfully expresses the triumph of Christ over the forces of death, Hades, and evil itself. Traditional chanters deliver this hymn with dramatic intensity and vocal power, building anticipation for the glorious moment when the resurrection will be proclaimed and the entire church erupts in joyful celebration. Modern recordings often feature strong male voices or full mixed choirs that can convey the hymn’s bold proclamation, and you can find excellent versions on YouTube from Russian Orthodox monasteries and Greek Orthodox cathedrals that demonstrate the hymn’s triumphant character.
The Day of Resurrection
Written by St. John of Damascus as part of the larger Paschal Canon, this particular ode has become a beloved standalone hymn in many Orthodox communities worldwide. The text invites all creation to join in celebrating the resurrection, calling believers to “embrace one another” and “forgive everything” in the spirit of overwhelming Paschal joy and Christian unity. The traditional melody is bright and festive, often sung at a quicker tempo than other Paschal hymns to convey enthusiasm, celebration, and the infectious joy of the resurrection message. Contemporary Orthodox musicians have created various arrangements, including some with subtle instrumental accompaniment that makes the hymn accessible for family gatherings, Easter meals, and personal devotions throughout the fifty-day Easter season.
We Have Seen the Resurrection
This hymn expresses the apostolic witness to Christ’s resurrection, inviting all believers to bow down before the Holy One and participate in His Paschal victory over death. The text emphasizes that through Christ’s cross and resurrection, joy has come to the entire world, creating a universal celebration that transcends cultural, linguistic, and temporal boundaries. Musical settings range from simple congregational melodies that any parish can sing to elaborate polyphonic choral arrangements with multiple vocal parts that showcase the hymn’s theological richness. The hymn appears throughout the Paschal season in various Orthodox services, making it one of the more frequently heard resurrection songs and an excellent choice for those seeking to maintain the Paschal spirit throughout the entire fifty-day celebration leading to Pentecost.
Byzantine Chant: Resurrection Apolytikion
The Apolytikion of the Resurrection exists in eight different modes or tones within the Byzantine musical system, each offering a unique flavor to the same basic text proclaiming Christ’s victory. These modes rotate throughout the liturgical year according to an eight-week cycle, but during Paschal season, parishes often return to these familiar hymns with renewed appreciation after the long Lenten journey of fasting and prayer. The ancient modal system creates melodies that Western ears may find exotic or unfamiliar, yet their otherworldly quality perfectly suits the mystery being celebrated and connects modern worshippers to centuries of tradition. Skilled chanters like those in Byzantine music institutes and groups dedicated to preserving authentic chant have made excellent recordings available on YouTube, offering listeners a window into worship traditions that stretch back to the early centuries of Christianity.
O Lord, Save Thy People
While not exclusively a Paschal hymn, this powerful petition is frequently sung during Easter season as believers pray for the Church and the world in light of Christ’s victorious resurrection. The hymn asks Christ to bless His inheritance, grant victory to Orthodox Christians, and preserve His Church through the power of His life-giving cross and glorious resurrection. Traditional settings employ a stately, processional melody that works beautifully with the text’s formal petition style and theological gravitas. This hymn connects the joy of resurrection with the ongoing spiritual warfare believers face in daily life, reminding Orthodox Christians that Pascha’s triumph extends far beyond the feast day itself into the continual struggle against sin, death, and the powers of darkness.
Paschal Hours
The Paschal Hours replace the regular daily prayer cycle during Bright Week, and their unique hymns create a sustained atmosphere of resurrection joy throughout the entire first week. Instead of the penitential psalms normally chanted during daily hours, these services joyfully repeat Paschal troparia and verses from Psalm 118, maintaining the celebration’s momentum and preventing believers from immediately returning to “ordinary time” after the feast. When chanted in their entirety, the Paschal Hours create an immersive spiritual experience that reinforces the magnitude of what Orthodox Christians celebrate at Easter and the cosmic significance of Christ’s victory. Several monastic communities, including Mount Athos monasteries and Russian Orthodox monasteries, have recorded complete versions of these services, allowing individuals to participate in this extended celebration even when unable to attend church daily.
The Exaposteilarion of Pascha
This hymn appears near the end of Paschal Matins and introduces the theme of witnessing Christ’s resurrection that pervades the entire Paschal celebration. The text references the myrrh-bearing women who came to the tomb at dawn on the first day of the week and became the first witnesses and proclaimers of the resurrection, making it particularly meaningful for female believers throughout Orthodox history. Traditional melodies for this hymn tend toward the contemplative rather than the exuberant, providing a moment of prayerful reflection amidst the service’s general exuberance and helping worshippers internalize the resurrection message. Modern recordings often feature female vocalists or mixed choirs that can highlight the hymn’s reference to the women at the tomb, creating a beautiful connection between the ancient witnesses and contemporary worshippers who continue proclaiming “Christ is Risen!”
In the Grave Bodily
This contemplative hymn bridges Holy Saturday and Pascha, acknowledging the profound paradox of Christ’s death while simultaneously affirming His eternal divine nature. The text meditates on how Christ rested bodily in the tomb while simultaneously remaining united with the Father in heaven and descending to Hades to free the captive souls imprisoned there since Adam. Musically, most settings employ a solemn, measured melody that reflects the gravity and mystery of the theological truth being proclaimed through this ancient text. The hymn serves as a powerful reminder that Orthodox Easter celebrates not just resurrection in isolation but the entire paschal mystery of Christ’s death, descent into Hades, harrowing of hell, and glorious rising, making it absolutely essential for understanding the full theological scope of the feast.
Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos
This Marian hymn takes on special significance during Paschal season as it celebrates Mary’s unique role in the incarnation that made the resurrection possible. The text honors the Theotokos as the source of joy for all creation, acknowledging that through her faithful obedience to God’s call, Christ entered the world to accomplish humanity’s salvation through His death and resurrection. Traditional Byzantine settings maintain a careful balance between joyful celebration and reverent honor, recognizing both Mary’s blessedness and her profound humility before God. The hymn appears in various forms throughout Orthodox worship year-round, but during Easter it carries particular poignancy as believers contemplate the deep connection between Christ’s nativity and His resurrection, between incarnation and glorification, between the mystery of the virgin birth and the mystery of rising from the dead.
Akathist Hymn
The Akathist Hymn, while traditionally associated with Great Lent rather than Easter itself, provides essential preparation for the Paschal celebration through its profound meditation on the Theotokos and the incarnation. This magnificent sixth-century composition, often attributed to St. Romanos the Melodist, consists of twenty-four stanzas forming an alphabetical acrostic in Greek, each praising the Mother of God with the repeated refrain “Rejoice!” The hymn is typically divided into four parts and sung during the first four Fridays of Lent, with the complete version chanted on the fifth Friday, creating a spiritual crescendo as believers approach Holy Week. You can find beautiful recordings on YouTube from monasteries and Orthodox choirs worldwide, and some parishes continue singing portions of the Akathist during the Paschal season to maintain the connection between the mystery of incarnation and the mystery of resurrection.
Paschal Hymns of the Russian Tradition
The Russian Orthodox tradition has developed distinctive melodic settings for Paschal hymns that differ significantly from Greek Byzantine forms, offering rich harmonic structures, deep resonant bass voices, and characteristic Slavonic musical elements. These arrangements often feature the unmistakable Russian choral sound, with multiple voice parts creating a full, warm texture that fills cathedral spaces and moves hearts to worship. Collections by renowned groups like the Moscow Sretensky Monastery Choir, the St. Petersburg Court Chapel Choir, and the Valaam Monastery Choir preserve these beautiful traditions in high-quality recordings readily available on YouTube and streaming services. For those exploring Orthodox Easter music and wanting to experience the breadth of the tradition, Russian versions provide a distinctly different aesthetic experience while celebrating the same resurrection faith, and they sound magnificent when experienced through quality earbuds that can reproduce the depth and richness of these choral masterpieces.
Cherubic Hymn
The Cherubic Hymn, while sung during every Divine Liturgy throughout the year, takes on special significance during the Paschal Divine Liturgy celebrated immediately after the midnight Matins service. The text invites worshippers to “lay aside all earthly cares” and join the angelic hosts in receiving Christ, the King of All, creating a moment of profound reverence during the Great Entrance when the gifts are brought to the altar. Multiple composers across Orthodox history have created settings of this ancient text, from simple traditional chants to elaborate compositions by masters like Pavel Chesnokov and Alexander Gretchaninov. YouTube features countless versions, including the famous setting sung by the St. Nicholas Orthodox Church Choir in Salem, Massachusetts, which has become beloved for its accessible beauty and can enhance personal prayer time during the Easter season.
Having Beheld the Resurrection of Christ
This hymn is sung at the conclusion of Paschal Matins and throughout the fifty-day Easter season, proclaiming the worship due to Christ for His victory over death. The text calls believers to continually bow down before the Holy One, acknowledging that through His cross and resurrection, joy has indeed come to the whole world. The melody is moderate in tempo and contemplative in character, providing a moment of prayerful reflection after the exuberant celebration of the night’s services. Russian and Greek Orthodox choirs have created numerous recordings of this beloved hymn, with the Valaam Monastery Choir’s version being particularly renowned for its spiritual depth and traditional authenticity, and these recordings serve as excellent resources for those wanting to extend the Paschal celebration into their homes and daily lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most important song sung during Orthodox Easter?
“Christos Anesti” (Christ is Risen) is undoubtedly the most important and universally recognized Orthodox Easter song, serving as the central proclamation of the resurrection across all Orthodox jurisdictions. This hymn is sung at the exact moment of the resurrection announcement during the midnight service when the priest first proclaims “Christ is Risen!” and the entire congregation responds with overwhelming joy. The simple yet powerful melody and text capture the absolute essence of Orthodox Easter celebration, making it the one song that every Orthodox Christian knows intimately and associates with Pascha regardless of their ethnic background or parish tradition. Different Orthodox cultures may have variations in melody or language—Greek, Slavonic, Arabic, Romanian, and others—but the core message and significance remain constant across all jurisdictions, uniting the worldwide Orthodox Church in one voice of resurrection proclamation.
Can I listen to Orthodox Easter songs outside of church services?
Absolutely, Orthodox Easter songs can and should be enjoyed outside of formal church services as a powerful way to extend the Paschal celebration into daily life and maintain spiritual focus. Many Orthodox Christians create dedicated playlists of Paschal hymns to play in their homes, cars, and workplaces throughout Bright Week and the entire fifty-day Easter season that extends until Pentecost. Listening to these sacred songs helps maintain the spiritual joy, theological focus, and resurrection-centered perspective that characterize the Paschal celebration, transforming ordinary moments into opportunities for prayer, worship, and spiritual reflection. Recordings by professional monastery choirs, skilled Byzantine chanters, cathedral ensembles, and contemporary Orthodox artists make these hymns accessible in various formats and styles, from traditional Byzantine chant to more contemporary arrangements that suit different listening contexts, preferences, and spiritual needs.
Are there Orthodox Easter songs in English?
Yes, many Orthodox Easter hymns have been carefully translated into English, and there is also a growing body of original English-language Orthodox compositions specifically created for Pascha celebrations. Traditional hymns like “Christ is Risen,” “The Day of Resurrection,” the Paschal Troparion, and many others are widely available in English translations that maintain theological accuracy while being singable, understandable, and accessible for English-speaking congregations across North America and beyond. Additionally, contemporary Orthodox musicians, composers, and worship leaders are creating new works in English that express traditional Paschal themes through modern musical language while respecting the depth and integrity of the theological tradition. This development has been particularly important for convert communities, younger generations seeking to engage with Orthodox faith in their native language, and parishes serving predominantly English-speaking populations while still desiring to maintain authentic Orthodox worship and theological expression.
How long is the Orthodox Easter season and should I keep listening to these songs?
The Orthodox Easter season, known as Paschaltime or the Paschal season, lasts for fifty days from Pascha Sunday until the Feast of Pentecost, and Orthodox Christians are traditionally encouraged to maintain the Paschal greeting, spirit, and hymns throughout this entire extended period. During Bright Week (the first week immediately after Pascha), the celebration reaches its absolute peak, with special services incorporating Paschal hymns that replace normal daily prayers and create an atmosphere of sustained resurrection joy. Even after Bright Week concludes, Paschal hymns continue to appear prominently in Sunday services and daily prayers until the Feast of the Ascension (forty days after Pascha) and finally concluding with Pentecost on the fiftieth day. Listening to Orthodox Easter songs throughout this extended season helps believers sustain the profound resurrection joy, allows the deep theological content of these ancient hymns to penetrate more thoroughly into consciousness and daily practice, and maintains the focus on Christ’s victory over death that should characterize Christian life year-round.
What makes Orthodox Easter music different from Western Christian Easter music?
Orthodox Easter music differs from Western Christian traditions primarily in its musical structure, theological emphasis, liturgical context, and historical development, reflecting the distinct evolution of Eastern and Western Christianity over nearly two millennia. Musically, Orthodox hymns typically employ Byzantine chant, Slavonic choral traditions, or other Eastern musical systems rather than Western harmonic progressions and tonal structures, creating melodies based on ancient modes that can sound exotic, otherworldly, or unfamiliar to Western ears accustomed to major and minor scales. Theologically, Orthodox Easter hymns emphasize the cosmic scope of Christ’s victory over death, the dramatic harrowing of Hades, the defeat of the devil, and the deification or theosis of humanity rather than focusing primarily on personal salvation or individual conversion experiences as Western worship music often does. The liturgical context also differs significantly, with Orthodox Easter music being integral to extended services like the midnight resurrection Matins that can last several hours rather than the shorter worship formats common in Western churches, creating an immersive multisensory experience that engages worshippers through candlelight, incense, processions, and sacred music simultaneously to create a foretaste of heavenly worship.