The Orthodox world welcomes the Easter — feast of the Resurrection
By tradition, the festive procession with the cross was delivered the Holy fire from Jerusalem.
MOSCOW, April 8. /TASS/. Orthodox Christians in more than 60 countries Sunday is celebrated the day of his Resurrection. Easter according to the Julian calendar celebrate Russian, Serbian, Georgian, Constantinople, Greek, Bulgarian, Jerusalem and other local Orthodox churches, and in some countries, for example in Greece, this day was declared a public holiday.
The feast of feasts
Just as the myrrh-bearing women went to the tomb of Christ and finding it empty, she heard the news of His resurrection, believers make processions around the temples. About midnight cry “Christ is Risen!” and begins the most joyous and solemn Liturgy of the year. The Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Kirill tonight topped it in the Moscow Cathedral of Christ the Savior.
The victory of Christ over death is not only spiritual, but physical reality. The Lord Jesus had really risen body for the salvation of all people. With His resurrection death has lost its irreversible nature and believed in Christ became the birth into eternal life, the door that opens the way to heaven, to the Kingdom of God.Patriarch Kirill
Traditionally for the festive procession of the cross from Jerusalem was delivered the Holy fire. He lit the lamps, which will carry in dozens of cities — from Rome to Sevastopol. Only Easter is celebrated in more than 35 thousand Russian Orthodox churches which are located in 68 countries.
The tradition of celebration
Easter is celebrated for 40 days, but the most solemn — the first week, Light week. During her daily divine services, which accurately portrays the service of Easter night procession, and the Royal doors — doors of the altars of all the temples thrown open as a symbol open the gates of Paradise.
But to visit the cemetery, contrary to the Soviet times tradition, Easter is not accepted. This can be done on the day of rejoicing on April 21.
An integral part of the holiday — the good works to which every Christian is called. The Orthodox service “Mercy” during Easter week will visit more than 15 thousand wards in hospitals and orphanages to congratulate them and give gifts. To join this promotion can be anyone.
Patriarch Kirill on April 8, will visit convicted prisoners, including life, in the largest remand prison of Moscow is known as the Butyrskaya prison. Since the beginning of 90-ies there was formed one of the main centers of the Church’s prison Ministry. The priests spiritual support to prisoners and their relatives.
On the same day the Primate on a video-link will congratulate on the holiday of the Syrian military on the basis Hamim. Before the holiday of Russian soldiers were taken several thousand cakes, collected in the framework of the joint action of the Moscow Patriarchate, Department for work with the faithful soldiers of the Main Directorate for work with personnel of the Armed forces and the all-Russian organization of veterans “Combat brotherhood”.