Easter Celebrations: A Joyous Gathering in Odesa
A priest blesses the people with water. Photo: News.LIVE
On Sunday, April 20, thousands of worshippers gathered around churches across Odesa to celebrate Easter and bless their Easter baskets. This year, the traditional festivities took place in a peaceful and uplifting atmosphere. People brought baskets filled with Easter cakes, dyed eggs, and homemade dishes to the churches. After the blessing, families headed home to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ.
Journalists from News.LIVE attended the blessing procession in Odesa and the surrounding areas.
Blessing of Easter cakes in Odesa
Easter is one of the most important and brightest holidays in the Orthodox calendar. This year, residents of Odesa started gathering at churches early in the morning to participate in the divine service and the blessing of Easter baskets.
Long lines of families holding baskets adorned with towels, containing cakes, colored eggs, sausages, cheese, butter, and salt formed outside churches in the city center and its outskirts. The people remained calm and orderly.
"We are all at war..."
In Odesa’s churches, festive services took place from early morning. A notable sermon was delivered by Father Vasyl Virozub, who addressed the congregation with profound words about the price of freedom and true unity.
"Today — we are all at war. On one front is the soldier with a weapon. On another front is the volunteer, the sailor, the medic, the teacher, and even the child in shelter drawing a blue and yellow heart," the priest said to those present.
