Orthodox Easter: – Fighting continues in Ukraine today

About 70 percent of the Ukrainian population is Orthodox or Greek Catholic. In Kiev, Easter celebrations must take place under high security measures. At night there was a curfew until 5am as usual.

Zelenskyj prays for victory
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi encouraged his compatriots to observe Orthodox Easter. “The war could not wipe us, our values, our traditions and our holidays,” Zelensky belligerently said in a video published Sunday. “Today we celebrate the resurrection of Christ. The main symbol is victory: the victory of good, the victory of truth, the victory of life. We celebrate Easter with an unwavering belief in the irreversibility of these victories.”

Just a year ago — shortly after the start of the Russian invasion — it was necessary to pray for Ukraine to survive at all, Zelensky said. “Today we pray for Ukraine to win,” the head of state said, referring to several military successes and the resilience of his army in recent months.

Russia also celebrates Easter – and has its own “moral concepts”
Russian President Vladimir Putin celebrated the second Orthodox Easter since the invasion of Ukraine he ordered at Moscow’s famous Cathedral of Christ the Savior. Together with Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, the head of the Kremlin attended a service of the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, on Sunday evening. Photos and videos show Putin and Sobyanin standing side by side with candles in their hands. Kirill also presented Putin with a decorated Easter egg.

A little later, the Kremlin published this year’s Easter message. Accordingly, the 70-year-old, who is now under an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes in Ukraine, said: “The beautiful, beloved Easter gives believers hope, inspires good thoughts and deeds, and serves to raise high moral standards in the society to affirm ideals and values.”

Putin praises church for ‘charity’
Putin also praised the Russian Orthodox Church, which is “active in the cause of mercy and charity despite serious challenges”. Church leader Kirill is seen internationally mainly as a staunch supporter of Putin’s war – and has repeatedly defended it in the past, including in sermons.

The Orthodox Churches observe the Julian calendar in connection with Easter. The Gregorian calendar applies to both Catholics and Protestants. This usually leads to the Orthodox celebrating the most important feast of the church year at a different time than the other Christians.

Massive Russian attacks on Easter Vigil – even on church!
Despite the Orthodox Easter, fighting continues in Russia-invaded Ukraine. Two teenagers were killed by Russian fire overnight in the southern region of Mykolaiv, local military governor Vitaly Kim said on Sunday.

Also in the Zaporizhia region, the head of the military administration, Yuri Malashko, reported a “massive attack” by the Russians. For example, a church suffered damage, which meant that the service had to be cancelled. “Nothing is sacred, not even on the night of Christ’s resurrection,” Malashko wrote.

Rescue work in Sloviansk continues
Rescue efforts continued in the eastern city of Sloviansk, where a rocket hit a residential area on Friday. Residents are still missing among the rubble, local officials said. Eleven civilians, including a small child, were killed in the attack, according to the latest information. More than 20 other people were injured, according to Ukrainian sources.