Orthodox Christians across the Balkans marked Easter on Sunday with midnight and morning liturgies, traditional greetings and appeals from church and political leaders for peace, unity and renewal.
In Serbia, large numbers of worshippers gathered at the Saint Sava Temple in Belgrade for Easter liturgy led by Bishop Tihon, while Patriarch Porfirije officiated at the Peć Patriarchate in Kosovo.
In his Easter message, Porfirije said forgiveness and reconciliation were at the heart of the resurrection message, warning against hatred and division in an increasingly unstable world. He also said Kosovo should not be viewed as a burden, but as an inseparable part of the Serbian people’s spiritual and national identity.
In North Macedonia, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said Easter symbolised hope, renewal and victory over hardship, urging unity, mutual respect and a shared commitment to building a stable and just state.
In Bulgaria, thousands of believers attended Easter services across the country, including the “Second Resurrection” service in churches on Sunday morning, where passages from the Gospel are traditionally read in different languages to symbolise the spreading of Christ’s resurrection to all nations.
Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil said Easter joy endured even in times of sorrow and despair, calling on believers to seek peace with God and with one another.
In Greece, worshippers gathered in churches across the country for the midnight Resurrection service, exchanging the traditional greeting “Christos Anesti” – “Alithos Anesti”, or “Christ is Risen” – “Truly He is Risen”. Celebrations included candlelit processions, fireworks, red-dyed eggs and the traditional Easter meal after the end of Lent.
In Albania, Orthodox believers marked Easter with liturgy in Tirana led by Archbishop Joan, who called on people to become peacemakers in a world being разрушened by hatred and greed. He said peace and goodness could be achieved only through spiritual renewal.
Easter, the most important feast in the Orthodox Christian calendar, commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ and is widely celebrated across southeastern Europe with church services, family gatherings and rituals symbolising life’s triumph over death.