Photo credit: hrypov / pixabay.com
Orthodox believers celebrate Easter on Sunday, May 2, TASS reports. The main Christian holiday, dedicated to the resurrection of Jesus Christ after the crucifixion, symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, life over death.
In 2020 the festive services in Russia were held without parishioners due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, this year strict restrictions were not introduced. At the same time, the Russian Orthodox Church called on clergy and believers to observe the rules of sanitary safety, in particular, to put on masks in churches.
The day before, on May 1, the Thanksgiving Fire was brought from Jerusalem to Moscow. It was delivered by the Fund of the Apostle Andrew the First-Called, however, on the recommendation of Rospotrebnadzor, the traditional meeting of the fire at the airport was canceled.
Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia congratulated the believers on the holiday. He called for compassion and care for others, which is especially important during the pandemic. The Patriarch recalled that those who are sick and weak, who grieve over the loss of their loved ones, who have lost their livelihood, who cannot come to church, need support.
Orthodox believers from Russia and other countries were invited to decorate the windows of their houses and apartments with icon lamps and lanterns on Easter night as a sign of participation in the holy holiday.
Russkiy Mir
