Orthodox Christians Сelebrate Easter

For the first time in history, a Belarusian divine service was held under the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Constantinople.

Millions of Eastern Rite Christians around the world celebrate Easter on Sunday, April 16.

Not only the Belarusian Orthodox Church but the Jerusalem, Serbian, Georgian, Bulgarian and other Orthodox churches celebrate Easter according to the Julian calendar.

For the first time, a Belarusian divine service was held in Vilnius under the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, Nasha Niva reports.

The Easter all-night service in Vilnius gathered believers who no longer want to put up with the fact that the Russian Orthodox Church blesses the war and repressions.

The service took place with the help of Protoiereus Heorhi Roi and Priest Aliaksandr Kukhta. They abandon the jurisdiction of the Moscow Patriarchate in favour of the jurisdiction of the Patriarch of Constantinople.

The Lutheran Church provided premises for service. The church looks quite modest outside but it hides amazing interiors inside.

About 150 people gathered for the service, mostly young people and middle-aged people. There was a choir singing. They also prayed for Bartholomew I, the Patriarch of Constantinople, who accepted the first Belarusian priests. They also prayed for a sooner end to the war and repressions.

They deliver the benediction to Easter cakes. The believers looked quite modest since most of them were recent asylum seekers, contrasted with the magnificent interiors of the Lutheran church.

The priests presented each of those present with an Easter egg.

Chargé d'Affaires of the Republic of Lithuania in the Republic of Belarus Asta Andrijauskienė attended the all-night Easter service.