Ukrainians in Kyiv are celebrating their third Easter since Russia's full-scale invasion as authorities urged churchgoers to avoid vigils due to a nighttime curfew and the danger of air strikes.
Resilience And Tradition In Times Of War As Kyiv Celebrates Easter
Easter liturgies took place at Kyiv's most famous Orthodox centers on May 5, as Ukraine marked its third Orthodox Easter Sunday since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Worshippers during an Easter service at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, also known as the Monastery of the Caves
As the two nations observed Orthodox Easter Sunday, Russian air strikes struck the eastern Ukrainian districts of Donetsk and Kharkiv, killing three and wounding at least 17, according to officials.
A worshipper in a wheelchair prays.
In an Easter message from Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called on Ukrainians to unite in prayer for each other and for soldiers on the front line, saying God has a "Ukrainian flag on his shoulder."
The Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra is silhouetted against the sky. It is a major pilgrimage site in Eastern Europe, attracting believers from all over the region.
Despite the threat of missile attacks, many Ukrainians observed the religious holiday.
A young parishioner waits patiently.
Parishioners light candles.
Worshippers wait for the "consecration of the Pascha" at St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery in Kyiv.
During the consecration, special prayers are said over the paska (bread) and other symbolic foods used in Easter celebrations that are often distributed to the faithful as a sacramental sign of their participation in Easter festivities.
Worshippers are blessed with water that symbolizes purification, renewal, and spiritual rebirth in celebration of Christ's resurrection.
Military personnel also took part.
After the religious ceremonies, family members stopped by to pay their respects at the Memory Wall of the Fallen Defenders of Ukraine.