Millions of Orthodox Christians across the globe celebrated Easter, known as Holy Pascha, on Sunday (12 April) with midnight liturgies, candlelight processions and deeply rooted local traditions reflecting centuries of faith.
Observed as the most important event in the Orthodox Christian calendar, Pascha commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ and symbolises the triumph of life over death.
The date, calculated according to the Julian calendar, fell a week after Western Easter this year, highlighting a longstanding calendrical difference between Christian traditions.
From Europe to the Middle East, believers gathered late on Holy Saturday for services that culminated at midnight, when churches are often plunged into darkness before being illuminated by candlelight as a symbolic moment marking the resurrection.
Across Orthodox communities, traditions such as painting eggs red, sharing festive meals and greeting one another with “Christ is risen” remain central to the celebrations.
More than 250 million Orthodox Christians worldwide observe the feast, often describing it as the “Feast of Feasts”, reflecting its spiritual importance.
In Britain, Orthodox Christians marked Easter in churches such as St. Sophia’s Cathedral in London, where congregants attended solemn liturgies and venerated the cross.
Although not a public holiday in the United Kingdom, communities from Orthodox traditions came together for midnight services followed by festive meals, often featuring lamb and traditional Easter bread.
In Türkiye, the Ecumenical Patriarch (regarded as the spiritual leader of Orthodox Christians) presided over Easter Mass at the Patriarchal Church of St. George in Istanbul. The ceremony, held at the historic seat of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, drew clergy and faithful from around the world, underscoring Istanbul’s enduring role as a centre of Orthodox Christianity.
In Gaza City, Palestinian Christians gathered at the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Porphyrius for Easter Mass, maintaining religious traditions despite ongoing instability in the region. For many, the service carried added emotional weight, reflecting both spiritual resilience and the challenges faced by one of the Middle East’s oldest Christian communities.
In Bulgaria’s capital Sofia, thousands of worshippers assembled outside St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral for the traditional Easter Vigil. At midnight, flames were passed from candle to candle, illuminating the square as bells rang out.
On the Greek island of Chios, the village of Vrontados hosted its famous “rocket war”, a dramatic Easter tradition in which handmade rockets are launched between rival churches. The centuries-old custom transforms the night sky into a fiery display, blending religious celebration with local cultural identity.
In Kyiv, a military chaplain blessed traditional Easter baskets, filled with bread, eggs and other foods, at the National Museum of Folk Architecture. Despite the ongoing war and suspension of public holidays under martial law, many Ukrainians continued to observe Easter privately.
In Russia’s Omsk region, Orthodox believers gathered at monasteries such as Pokrovsky to mark the holiday with communal meals and religious services. As elsewhere, the celebrations centred on liturgy, family gatherings and traditional foods following the Lenten fast.
Despite regional differences, from candlelit vigils in Eastern Europe to rocket-lit skies in Greece, Orthodox Easter celebrations share a common message of renewal, hope and spiritual unity.
U.S. President Donald Trump is addressing the UN General Assembly as world leaders gather in New York for the 81st session. Conflicts in the Middle...
Two of Georgia’s most senior officials used separate appearances in New York this week to deliver a similar message: the South Caucasus is ga...
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called for sweeping reform of the UN Security Council on Tuesday, saying the world body could no longer ful...
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv was ready to halt strikes on Russian energy facilities if Moscow stops targeting Ukraine’s energy sector, critical infrastructure, and food exports, as he prepared to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in New York.
U.S. President Donald Trump is addressing the UN General Assembly as world leaders gather in New York for the 81st session. Conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, global security and diplomacy set to dominate the event.
While addressing the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, U.S. President Donald Trump said he believes Washington and Tehran will reach a deal after the U.S. midterm elections.
Iran's military has threatened to launch sustained attacks on U.S. bases and interests across the Middle East if Washington resumes military action against Tehran.
Overnight Russian strikes on the city of Sumy, northeast Ukraine, have killed one woman and injured a man, the country's State Emergency Service has said.
U.S. President Donald Trump is addressing the UN General Assembly as world leaders gather in New York for the 81st session. Conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, global security and diplomacy set to dominate the event.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called for sweeping reform of the UN Security Council on Tuesday, saying the world body could no longer fulfil its mission of maintaining international peace and security.
Moroccans vote on Wednesday, 23 September in a parliamentary election that will determine the make-up of the 395-seat House of Representatives and shape the next government.
A former Rwandan official has appeared in a London court, becoming the first person in the UK to face charges linked to the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv was ready to halt strikes on Russian energy facilities if Moscow stops targeting Ukraine’s energy sector, critical infrastructure, and food exports, as he prepared to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in New York.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment