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| Orthodox Christians mark Easter | Orthodox Christians mark Easter |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Orthodox Christians have begun marking Easter at celebrations throughout Eastern Europe and the Middle East. | Orthodox Christians have begun marking Easter at celebrations throughout Eastern Europe and the Middle East. |
| Thousands of worshippers crowded into the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, Christianity's holiest shrine, for the Holy Fire Ritual. | Thousands of worshippers crowded into the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, Christianity's holiest shrine, for the Holy Fire Ritual. |
| Russian believers filled the cathedral in Moscow, where Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia presided for the first time since his enthronement. | |
| Easter marks the holiest feast in the Christian calendar. | Easter marks the holiest feast in the Christian calendar. |
| Holy Fire ritual | Holy Fire ritual |
| Jerusalem's Old City was jammed with pilgrims from the eastern Orthodox faiths, which include Greeks, Copts, Russians and Assyrians. | Jerusalem's Old City was jammed with pilgrims from the eastern Orthodox faiths, which include Greeks, Copts, Russians and Assyrians. |
| The Russian leaders celebrate Easter at Moscow's Christ the Saviour Cathedral | |
| Some 10,000 worshippers crammed into the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Saturday night for the Holy Fire ceremony. Another 30,000 remained outside under tight security by Israeli police. | Some 10,000 worshippers crammed into the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Saturday night for the Holy Fire ceremony. Another 30,000 remained outside under tight security by Israeli police. |
| According to the ancient ritual, the Greek Orthodox patriarch lights an oil lamp in the darkened church. The light from the holy fire is then shared by candles to the crowd. | According to the ancient ritual, the Greek Orthodox patriarch lights an oil lamp in the darkened church. The light from the holy fire is then shared by candles to the crowd. |
| It is also taken to the Church of the Nativity in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, the traditional birthplace of Jesus Christ, and aboard special flights to Athens and other cities. | It is also taken to the Church of the Nativity in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, the traditional birthplace of Jesus Christ, and aboard special flights to Athens and other cities. |
| It was passed as far afield as Russia, where the Patriarch Kirill was the first to light his candle from it at the cathedral in Moscow. | It was passed as far afield as Russia, where the Patriarch Kirill was the first to light his candle from it at the cathedral in Moscow. |
| The service was attended by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and his wife Svetlana, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, and several other officials. | The service was attended by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and his wife Svetlana, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, and several other officials. |
| Georgia 'battle' | Georgia 'battle' |
| In neighbouring Georgia, President Mikhail Saakashvili attended an Easter service in the Tbilisi Central Trinity cathedral with his wife and two sons. | |
| Mr Saakashvili has been facing opposition calls for him to step down for the past week. | Mr Saakashvili has been facing opposition calls for him to step down for the past week. |
| Traditional Easter eggs were on display in Bulgaria | Traditional Easter eggs were on display in Bulgaria |
| Protesters have taken a short break for the Easter festivities, but opposition leaders have vowed to launch the "final stage of the battle" after the holidays. | Protesters have taken a short break for the Easter festivities, but opposition leaders have vowed to launch the "final stage of the battle" after the holidays. |
| "It is a great celebration for the entire Orthodox world," President Saakashvili said in the cathedral. "Georgia, as one of the most ancient Christian nations, is celebrating it and we are sharing it with all the Orthodox Christians worldwide." | |
| In the Egyptian capital Cairo, Pope Shenouda III celebrated the Coptic Easter Mass. The Church of Alexandria in Egypt has an estimated 58 million members worldwide. | In the Egyptian capital Cairo, Pope Shenouda III celebrated the Coptic Easter Mass. The Church of Alexandria in Egypt has an estimated 58 million members worldwide. |
| Greek Orthodox, Armenians and other Eastern rite Christians mark Easter a week after Protestants and Catholics as the Orthodox Church follows a different calendar. | Greek Orthodox, Armenians and other Eastern rite Christians mark Easter a week after Protestants and Catholics as the Orthodox Church follows a different calendar. |