Skopje, 20 April 2025 (MIA) – Orthodox believers are celebrating Sunday the greatest Christian holiday – the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ – Easter, the day when Jesus Christ had proved his divine power and rose from the dead.

At midnight, the Christ’s resurrection was heralded in all churches of the Macedonian Orthodox Church-Ohrid Archbishopric (MOC-OA). Today, churches are holding Easter Sunday masses.

Head of the Macedonian Orthodox Church HH Stefan delivered the Easter service at the St. Clement of Ohrid Church in Skopje. 

This year, Easter lands on the same day for both Orthodox and Catholics, which is a rare coincidence of calendars because the Catholic Church uses the Gregorian calendar, while most Orthodox churches use the Julian calendar. Easter came on the same date for both denominations in 2017, and the next time this rare occasion will be marked is April 16, 2028. 

Easter is the culmination of events during Holy Week beginning with Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday reflects the return of Jesus to Jerusalem. Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper of Christ and Good Friday honours the crucifixion of Jesus. Finally, Easter Sunday celebrates the resurrection after his death.

The red colour of the Orthodox Easter egg signifies the blood of Christ, its shell His three-day entombment, and its breaking His Resurrection by which the ‘egg of life’ brought forth a life, up to then unknown.

According to Orthodox Christian tradition, the faithful play egg tapping saying the greeting “Christ is risen! Truly He is risen!”.

Photo: MIA