This year, Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox Christians, who use different liturgical calendars, celebrated Easter one week apart, with Catholics and Protestants marking Easter on April 1 and Orthodoxs celebrating Paskha on April 8. In 2017 the celebration occurred on the same dates. Russian President Vladimir Putin attended Easter services at Moscow's Christ the Savior Cathedral where several thousand people gathered, including members of parliament to mark the occasion.
© Sputnik / Aleksey Nikolskyi / Go to the mediabankApril 7, 2017. Russian President Vladimir Putin during the Easter service at the Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow.
April 7, 2017. Russian President Vladimir Putin during the Easter service at the Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow.
© Sputnik / Igor Zarembo / Go to the mediabankHoly Saturday service at the Resurrection Cathedral of the Diocese of Berlin and Germany (Russian Orthodox Church) in Berlin.
Holy Saturday service at the Resurrection Cathedral of the Diocese of Berlin and Germany (Russian Orthodox Church) in Berlin.
© REUTERS / Ammar AwadWorshippers hold candles as they take part in the Christian Orthodox Holy Fire ceremony at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City April 7, 2018.
Worshippers hold candles as they take part in the Christian Orthodox Holy Fire ceremony at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City April 7, 2018.
© Sputnik / Evgeny Biyatov / Go to the mediabankPatriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia sets the doves free after a service on the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary holiday at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow.
Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia sets the doves free after a service on the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary holiday at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow.
© Sputnik / Alexandr Kryazhev / Go to the mediabankBlessing Easter cakes and eggs on Holy Saturday at the Assumption Cathedral in Kazan.
Blessing Easter cakes and eggs on Holy Saturday at the Assumption Cathedral in Kazan.
© Sputnik / Alexey Malgavko / Go to the mediabankBelievers on Holy Saturday at the St. Trinity Cathedral in Simferopol.
Believers on Holy Saturday at the St. Trinity Cathedral in Simferopol.
© Sputnik / The Andrew the First-Called Foundation / Go to the mediabankBelievers celebrate the Descent of the Holy Fire at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Believers celebrate the Descent of the Holy Fire at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
© REUTERS / Ronen ZvulunWorshippers hold candles as they take part in the Christian Orthodox Holy Fire ceremony at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City April 7, 2018.
Worshippers hold candles as they take part in the Christian Orthodox Holy Fire ceremony at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City April 7, 2018.
© REUTERS / Ammar AwadEthiopian Orthodox worshippers play music as they take part in the Holy Fire ceremony at the Ethiopian section of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City April 7, 2018.
Ethiopian Orthodox worshippers play music as they take part in the Holy Fire ceremony at the Ethiopian section of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City April 7, 2018.
© REUTERS / Alkis KonstantinidisPeople prepare to throw clay pots filled with water from their window during the Greek Orthodox Easter tradition of "Botides" on Holy Saturday marking the so-called "First Resurrection", on the island of Corfu, Greece, April 7, 2018.
People prepare to throw clay pots filled with water from their window during the Greek Orthodox Easter tradition of "Botides" on Holy Saturday marking the so-called "First Resurrection", on the island of Corfu, Greece, April 7, 2018.
© REUTERS / David MdzinarishviliWorshippers walk around Sioni Cathedral with lit candles during a midnight Easter service in Tbilisi, Georgia, April 8, 2018.
Worshippers walk around Sioni Cathedral with lit candles during a midnight Easter service in Tbilisi, Georgia, April 8, 2018.
© REUTERSEastern Orthodox Christians celebrate Easter at St. John the Baptist monastery near Mavrovo, Macedonia April 8, 2018.
Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate Easter at St. John the Baptist monastery near Mavrovo, Macedonia April 8, 2018.
© REUTERS / Alexander ZemlianichenkoA girl reacts during the Easter service at the Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Moscow, Russia April 7, 2018.
A girl reacts during the Easter service at the Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Moscow, Russia April 7, 2018.
© REUTERSWorshippers light candles during the Orthodox Easter service at the Greek Orthodox Patriarchal Cathedral of St. George in Istanbul, Turkey April 7, 2018.
Worshippers light candles during the Orthodox Easter service at the Greek Orthodox Patriarchal Cathedral of St. George in Istanbul, Turkey April 7, 2018.
© REUTERS / Ognen TeofilovskiPriests lead the Christian Orthodox Easter service at St. John the Baptist Monastery near Mavrovo, Macedonia April 8 2018.
Priests lead the Christian Orthodox Easter service at St. John the Baptist Monastery near Mavrovo, Macedonia April 8 2018.
© REUTERS / Tiksa NegeriEthiopian Orthodox faithful hold candles as they attend the easter eve prayers at the Holy Trinity Cathedral Orthodox church in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, April 7, 2018.
Ethiopian Orthodox faithful hold candles as they attend the easter eve prayers at the Holy Trinity Cathedral Orthodox church in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, April 7, 2018.