The feast of feasts– Easter, or Pascha in the Orthodox Christian world was celebrated as millions of followers on every continent participated in ceremonies, timeless traditions and ancient rituals marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Here are some photos from throughout the world.
Rome, Italy
The head of the Roman Catholic Church Pope Francis embraces the head of the Armenia’s Orthodox Church Karekin II, during an Armenian-Rite Mass marking the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide – held in St Peter’s Basilica within the Vatican
Moscow, Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) speaks with Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Kirill during an Orthodox Easter service in Moscow
Kiev, Ukraine
Ukrainians bow their heads as they light candles during an Orthodox Easter mass in the Mikhailovsky Cathedral in the capital city of Kiev
Istanbul, Turkey
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, the spiritual leader of Greek Orthodox world, greets a baby at the Easter Sunday ceremony in Istanbul
Chios, Greece
Dozens of people still went to mass and prayed at Panagia Erithiani on Saturday evening- despite people shooting rockets at its tower
Pasarea, Romania
Romanian Christian Orthodox believers visit the ossuary of Pasarea monastery shortly after the Easter religious service as local nuns light candles for those who have died in Pasarea village (20km east from Bucharest)
Kingsford, Australia
8,000 worshippers attended services at St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church in Kingsford, outside Sydney, Australia
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Metropolitan Savvas of Pittsburgh on the steps of the historic St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Pittsburgh (photo by George Bellios via facebook)
Los Angeles, California
Emanating light from St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Los Angeles, California (photo by Christina Tasulis Williams via Facebook)
London, England
Thousands await the light outside St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral in the Bayswater neighborhood, the Greek and Cypriot stronghold of London (photo by George Levendis via Facebook)
Astoria, New York
Most of Astoria’s streets were closed to traffic as thousands of Greeks attended services in the neighborhood’s dozen or so churches, including St. Markella (photo by Stamatis Tsilimos via Facebook)
