Russian Orthodox Christians filled the Church of Christ the Savior in Moscow, where Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia led the candle-lit Easter vigil.
© RIA Novosti . Ilya Pitalev / Go to the mediabankRussian Orthodox Christians filled the Church of Christ the Savior in Moscow, where Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia led the candle-lit Easter vigil.
Russian Orthodox Christians filled the Church of Christ the Savior in Moscow, where Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia led the candle-lit Easter vigil.
© RIA Novosti . Sergei Pyatakov / Go to the mediabankPatriarch Kirill lights the candles with the Holy Fire delivered Saturday from Jerusalem.
Patriarch Kirill lights the candles with the Holy Fire delivered Saturday from Jerusalem.
© RIA Novosti . Sergei Pyatakov / Go to the mediabankParishioners during Easter service at Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Savior.
Parishioners during Easter service at Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Savior.
© RIA Novosti . Sergei Pyatakov / Go to the mediabankA sacristan handing out candles ahead of the service.
A sacristan handing out candles ahead of the service.
© RIA Novosti . Sergei Pyatakov / Go to the mediabankPriests lead a midnight procession which is followed by the Easter Liturgy continuing into the wee hours of the morning.
Priests lead a midnight procession which is followed by the Easter Liturgy continuing into the wee hours of the morning.
© RIA Novosti . Ilya Pitalev / Go to the mediabankThe Cathedral of Christ the Savior was blown up in 1931 but rebuilt in 1999.
The Cathedral of Christ the Savior was blown up in 1931 but rebuilt in 1999.
© RIA Novosti . Ilya Pitalev / Go to the mediabankMatins was followed by the Divine Liturgy celebrated by Patriarch Kirill and several bishops.
Matins was followed by the Divine Liturgy celebrated by Patriarch Kirill and several bishops.
© RIA Novosti . Sergei Pyatakov / Go to the mediabankBelievers exchanged traditional Easter greetings “Christ is risen!” – “He is risen indeed!”
Believers exchanged traditional Easter greetings “Christ is risen!” – “He is risen indeed!”
The first week after Easter is Eastertide.
© RIA Novosti . Evgeniy Samarin / Go to the mediabankRussian President Dmitry Medvedev, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin joined the service at the cathedral. The influence of Russia’s Orthodox Church has grown since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin joined the service at the cathedral. The influence of Russia’s Orthodox Church has grown since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991.