Easter

In nineteen forty two, Easter fell on 4 April, just like today. In Nikolayev – a thousand kilometers below Brest along the river Bug – the German diary welcomed the Spring with a festive poem.

Schaut auf zu dem Himmel Und öffnet die Herzen. Die Nacht ist gezogen In ewiger Schönheit Leuchtet uns wieder Das Licht das die Sonne Alljährlich uns bringt. Ein Fest ist geworden In Hoffen und Glauben, Wie Mütter gebären Die lieblichen Kinder. Freude o Freunde! Der Tod ist gewesen. Das Leben ist da. Und weit von der Heimat, Mit treuen Gedanken, Dass alles doch werde Zum glücklichen Frieden Steh’n wir auf Wache, Geschlecht für Geschlechter, Am schäumenden Bug O Vaterland Deutschland, Das Herz soll Dich grüssen, Mit unseren Waffen Erst können wir wieder Glauben an Ostern, Aus unserer Liebe Wirst aufersteh’n Du. Schaut auf zu dem Himmel. Denn heute ist Ostern. Der Schmerz ist verloren. Aus duftenden Knospen Brechen die Blüten, Die schöner dann schmücken Zum Sieg unseren Helm. Uffz. Heini Jahns, Nikolajew

Look up to the sky and open your hearts. The night has withdrawn, and in eternal beauty shines upon us again the Light, brought to us by the Sun every year. A feast was born to us in hope and in faith just like mothers give birth to their beloved children. What a joy, my friends! Death is over and life is here. And far from our homeland with faithful thoughts so that everything turns to a happy peace, we stand at our post for generations to come at the swelling Bug. Oh, homeland Germany, our heart greets You together with our arms. Just now we can really believe in Easter. From our love You will resurrect! Look up to the sky, for today it’s Easter. All pain is over, and from fragrant buds flowers arise to adorn our helmets for the victory. Squad Leader Heini Jahns, Nikolayev

“The Easter feast is not only the feast of the Spring, but rather the culmination of the preparations for the coming war operations. On Easter 1940 the German troops were ready for action at the Rhein. On Easter 1941 they were already at the eastern borders of Germany. During the following spring offensives they subdued France, Norway and the Balkan states, and they broke the might of the red army. Today, on Easter 1942 the German troops stay at Leningrad, Moscow and Rostov. Just as in the last years, the Easter of 1942 is the culmination of all preparations and gathering energy of the German Wehrmacht” – wrote the editorial of the newspaper on that day.


In ninety forty two, as a rarity, all Christian confessions celebrated Easter on the same day, just like today. The Catholic, Orthodox and Greek Catholic population of the occupied territories, whose fate after the final victory had been already decided in Berlin, on this day celebrated with processions the resurrection of Christ.



Христос воскресе из мёртвых – Christ has risen from the dead. Orthodox Easter troparium. Choir of the Cathedral of Novokuznetsk.