The priest blesses the faithful with holy water. Photo: News.LIVE

On Sunday, April 20, thousands of parishioners gathered near churches throughout the Odessa region to celebrate Easter and bless their Easter cakes. This year’s festivities took place in a calm and uplifting atmosphere. People brought baskets filled with Easter cakes, dyed eggs, and home-cooked dishes to the churches. After the blessing, families returned home to continue celebrating the Resurrection of Christ.

Reporters from News.LIVE captured the blessing process in Odessa and the surrounding areas.

Blessing of Easter cakes in Odessa

Easter is one of the most significant holidays in the Orthodox calendar. This year, residents of Odessa began gathering at churches early in the morning to participate in the service and receive blessings for their baskets.

Long lines formed outside churches in the city center and suburbs, with families holding baskets adorned with towels, filled with cakes, colored eggs, sausages, cheese, butter, and salt. People remained calm and orderly.

"We are all at war..."

In the churches of Odessa, festive services commenced early in the morning. A notable sermon was delivered by Father Vasyl Vyrozub, who addressed the congregation with profound words about the price of freedom and true unity.

"Today, on this day, we are all at war. A soldier with a weapon is at war. A volunteer, a sailor, a medic, a teacher, and even a child in a shelter drawing a blue and yellow heart — they are all at war," the priest told the attendees.