More than 260 million people marked Easter Sunday, with worshippers asked to stay at home to avoid coronavirus spread.
While many watched services online or on television, some sidestepped virus fears to attend churches on the most important date in the Orthodox calendar.
Here is our selection of photos from the Orthodox world taken between April 13 and April 19, 2020.
Christ is risen!
Patriarch Daniel blessing the Easter bread called Paști before having it distributed throughout Bucharest. Photo: Basilica.ro / Raluca EneFoot-washing ceremony performed at Putna Monastery on Maundy Thursday. Photo: Facebook / Putna MonasteryThe priest from Hîrlău, Iași, distributed food and other cleaning products to vulnerable people in his parish. Photo: Iustin PăltinelProcession with the Holy Shroud on Holy Friday at the Patriarchal Cathedral. Photo: Basilica.ro / Raluca EneClergy singing the Lamentations of the Lord at the Holy Apostles Church in Mioveni. Photo: Vuțan Vasile -Liviu.Russian artist Evgeny Filatov is the author of a unique Easter project. Posters depicting Jesus Christ and other Orthodox Saints wearing protection masks were plastered on walls. “Russian Easter during the coronavirus pandemic doesn’t have much in common with traditional boiled eggs or cakes anymore,” the artist wrote. Photo: efilatov.comPatriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem presenting the Holy Fire while exiting the church of the Holy Sepulchre. Photo: Jerusalem PatriarchateThe Holy Fire was brought to Romania by the assistant bishop Timotei of Prahova. Photo: Basilica.ro / Raluca EnePatriarch Daniel distributing the Holy Fire to priests while proclaiming the Resurrection of Christ. Photo: Basilica.ro / Raluca EneThe local authorities in Ramnicu-Vâlcea made sure that all the graves in the city’s cemeteries had their candles lit for Easter. Photo: Elena Ciolacu ArtEaster Vigil at the Archdiocesan Cathedral in Curtea de Argeș. Photo: Facebook / Archdiocese of Arges and MuscelVolunteers of St. John the Baptist Parish in Bucecea, Botoșani County, lit candles on Easter night at every grave in the city. Foto credit: Facebook / Bucecea ParishChurch and Red Cross Volunteers distributed the Holy Fire and consecrated bread to the believers in Comanesti. Photo: St Spyridon Parish ComăneștiArchbishop Casian of Lower Danube distributed the Holy Fire to police officers and firefighters on duty on Easter night. Photo: Facebook / Lower Danube ArchdioceseOrthodox Cathedral in Alba Iulia on Easter night. Photo: Archdiocese of Alba Iulia/ Vasile SârbAssistant Bishop Benedict of Bistrița presided over the midnight Easter vigil at the Orthodox Seminary in Cluj-Napoca. Photo: Facebook / Metropolis of Cluj, Maramureș and SălajBishop Justin of Maramures proclaiming the resurrection of Christ. Photo: Facebook / Diocese of Maramures and SătmarEaster vigil at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Iași. Photo: Doxologia / Oana NichiforAt the Church of St. Nicholas in Satu Nou, icons and candles were placed on empty chairs for the faithful who could not attend the church service. Photo: Facebook / Monica BârlădeanuThe Orthodox priests in Romania have taken to the streets of cities and villages to offer the Holy Fire to the believers. Photo: Mediafax / Andreea AlexandruEcumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on Easter night. Photo: Ecumenical Patriarchate / Nikos MangihnasVolunteer lighting Easter candles. Photo: Doxologia / Flavius PopaMilitary personnel attended the Easter Vigil in Georgia. Photo: Facebook / Mariam Nikuradze
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We would gladly include one of your photos depicting Orthodox life in our weekly selection. All you have to do is send the picture(s) you have taken to our email address [info @ basilica.ro] along with a short description. Please mention WIP (Week in Pictures) in the email subject line. Please note that every WIP article will include photos taken in the previous week.
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