Christian Orthodox churches across the world celebrate the holy day of Easter. One of the biggest services is held at Moscow’s Christ the Saviour Cathedral. Hundreds have gathered there, while thousands watched live on television to join in the celebration of Jesus Christ’s resurrection on the third day after being crucified. The main Easter service is as always conducted by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, Kirill.
A group of pilgrims have also delivered the Holy Fire from the Old City of Jerusalem to the Russian Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. It is lit each year at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem on the day preceding Orthodox Easter. Tens of thousands of pilgrims visited Jerusalem on Saturday to observe the ‘Holy Fire’ ceremony.
Easter is preceded by a long period of fasting. Believers abstain from meat, fish, eggs and dairy products for 48 days, spending time in prayer.
The real challenge is to help people refine their souls and learn to restrain desire.
