Easter 2023: A Beacon of Hope and Unity

The priest blesses the people with water. Photo: News.LIVE

On Sunday, April 20th, thousands of believers gathered around the churches in Odessa to celebrate Easter and bless their Easter cakes. This year, the traditional celebration took place in a calm and uplifting atmosphere. People brought baskets filled with cakes, colored eggs, and homemade dishes to the churches. After the blessing, families headed home to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ.

Journalists from News.LIVE visited the blessing procession in Odessa and the surrounding areas. 

Blessing of Easter cakes in Odessa

Easter is one of the most significant and brightest holidays in the Orthodox calendar. This year, residents of Odessa began gathering at churches early in the morning to make it to the service and the blessing of Easter baskets. 

Long lines of families holding baskets adorned with towels, containing cakes, dyed eggs, sausages, cheese, butter, and salt, formed outside the churches in the city center and outskirts. People maintained calm and order. 

"We are all at war..."

Today, festive services took place in Odessa's churches. Father Vasyl Vyrozub's sermon was particularly poignant, as he addressed the faithful with profound words about the cost of freedom and true unity.

"Today we are all at war. There are soldiers with weapons, volunteers, sailors, medics, teachers, and even a child drawing a blue and yellow heart in a shelter," the priest told those present.