The Resurrection of Christ occurred on the third day after the Savior's death on the Cross. This evangelical event signifies the Lord's triumph over sin and death and the start of a new world atoned by Jesus Christ.
This year, Easter celebrations among Orthodox and Catholic believers fall on the same date, according to the Julian and Gregorian calendars.
Festive Easter services are conducted in all Orthodox and Catholic churches on the night of Saturday and Sunday.
Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy II congratulated Orthodox believers with Easter and called on them to keep the joy of the holiday of Christ's Resurrection.
"I wish the holiday's joy to fill your hearts not only today, on the Easter night, but also in coming days, weeks and months of your life," Alexy II said after serving a divine liturgy in Moscow's Christ the Savior Cathedral.
President of Russia Vladimir Putin congratulated Orthodox Christians and all citizens of Russia celebrating Easter, the presidential press office said.
"These festive spring days give millions of Russians spiritual joy and hope and strengthen faith. It is pleasant to note that today the Russian Orthodox Church and other traditional Christian confessions have become an important component of civil society in Russia. Christians in our country have been able to bring considerable intellectual and material resources for active social, educative and cultural work," Putin said in his Easter greetings.
