In Eastern Christianity, Easter is commonly known as Pascha, a transliteration of the Hebrew "Pesach" which means "Passover." As in Catholicism and some Protestant churches, Orthodox Easter is preceded by a 40-day period of fasting and reflection known as Lent.
The Easter Vigil in Eastern Orthodoxy especially solemn: it is the first official celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus. The Holy Fire, a symbol of light and renewal, appears in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Israeli city of Jerusalem and is spread by worshippers around the world. Starting from Easter Eve, Christians greet each other for forty days with the words: "Christ is risen!" Others respond, "Truly, He is risen!"
An Easter service at the Cathedral of the Holy Face of Christ the Savior in Sochi, Russia.
Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia during an Easter service at Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow, Russia.
An Easter service at the Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow, Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin during an Easter service at the Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow, Russia.
An Easter service at Saint Isaac's Cathedral (Isaakievskiy Sobor) in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
Parishioners during the blessing of Easter cakes and eggs on Holy Saturday at Khutyn Monastery of the Saviour's Transfiguration and of St. Varlaam in Veliky Novgorod, Russia.
An Easter service at the St. Elijah Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church in Saydnaya, Syria.
Pope Francis leads the Easter mass in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican.
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© AP Photo / Gregorio Borgia
Pope Francis celebrates the Easter Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.
Sorbian men dressed in black tailcoats ride decorated horses during an Easter rider procession near Panschwitz, Germany.
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© AP Photo / Fareed Khan
Pakistani Christians attend an early morning Easter service at St. Patrick church in Karachi, Pakistan.
A girl attends the Easter mass at the Fatima Church in Islamabad, Pakistan.
