Representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church took part in solemn Easter services at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, one of Christianity’s most sacred sites, traditionally believed to be the place of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

According to the Jerusalem Patriarchate, the праздничные services began on the night between Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday and followed the ancient liturgical traditions of the Jerusalem Church. The ceremonies were led by Patriarch Theophilos III.

Around midnight, the Easter canon was chanted in the Katholikon, the central space of the church. Clergy then proceeded in a procession around the Edicule, the chapel built over the Holy Tomb. This was followed by a reading of the Gospel account of Christ’s Resurrection.

A key moment of the service came with the proclamation “Christ is Risen,” which was first announced from within the Holy Tomb itself. The Paschal Matins followed, featuring ancient hymns, and culminated in the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. Hymns and prayers were performed in multiple languages, reflecting the international character of the Orthodox faithful gathered in Jerusalem.

Later on Easter Sunday, the traditional “Vespers of Love” service was held. During this service, a Gospel passage describing the appearance of the risen Christ to His disciples was read in various languages, symbolizing the universal message of Christianity.

Among those participating was Archimandrite Vassian Zmeev, who read the Gospel in Church Slavonic beneath the arches of the church near the Holy Tomb.

Following the service, representatives of the Russian Church extended Easter greetings to Patriarch Theophilos III and conveyed festive wishes.

Celebrations continued on Bright Monday with a reception at the Jerusalem Patriarchate, attended by representatives of various local Orthodox Churches, clergy, monastics, and pilgrims. Greetings were also delivered on behalf of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow.