Ukrainian Christians Celebrate Easter With 'Holy Fire'

Children wait for the Holy Fire, a flame lit in Jerusalem and passed from candle to candle, to arrive at the Cathedral of St. Volodymyr in Kyiv. 

The Holy Fire is said to symbolize the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

After believers' candles are lit, they recite a prayer, followed by a midnight procession around the cathedral. 

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko attends the Easter procession with his family, accompanied by Patriarch Filaret, the head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyivan Patriarchate.

President Poroshenko and his wife Maryna observe the ceremony.

U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch at the Easter service

Inside the Cathedral of St. Volodymyr

Patriarch Filaret leads the service.

According to tradition, the Holy Fire emanates from the stone bed believed to be the spot where Jesus's body was placed for burial.

A priest blesses Easter baskets, which traditionally include a type of bread called paska and decorated Easter eggs known as pysanky or krashanky.