Orthodox Christians around the world are celebrating Easter Sunday.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and his family observed Orthodox Easter services at Volodymyrsky Cathedral in the capital, Kyiv.

Ukrainian Patriarch Filaret prayed for peace and said “we are strongly sure that God will send us a win over the aggressor,” in a reference to Russia, which has annexed Ukraine’s Crimea peninsula.

“This year Ukraine is celebrating Easter in conditions of non-claimed war on Donbass. But we are strongly sure that God will send us a win over the aggressor, because the truce is with us,” he said.

In Russia, President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev attended services in Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Savior.

Easter marks the day Christians believe Jesus was resurrected after his crucifixion and entombment more than 2,000 years ago.

Roman Catholics and Protestants observed Easter last Sunday in accordance with the Gregorian calendar.

Eastern Orthodox churches use the older Julian calendar.

Some information for this report came from AP.
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