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Easter celebrations in Russia

Russian Orthodox believers celebrated Easter on April 20

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The preparation for Easter begins with a 40-day period of self-examination and fasting

© ITAR-TASS/Vladimir Smirnov

The last week of the Great Fast ends with Easter vigil

© ITAR-TASS/Vladimir Smirnov

Holy Saturday is a day of strict fasting for Russian Orthodox Christians, while preparations are being made for the Easter meal

© ITAR-TASS/Vladimir Smirnov

Easter vigil in Moscow

© ITAR-TASS/Artyom Geodakyan

Easter vigil in Moscow

© ITAR-TASS/Mikhail Klimentyev

A cross procession is the most visited part of the Easter vigil

© ITAR-TASS/Artyom Geodakyan

Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev (left) with his wife (center)

© ITAR-TASS/Mikhail Metsel

Easter vigil in Astrakhan

© ITAR-TASS/Dmitry Rogulin

Easter vigil in Russia's Kamchatka territory

© ITAR-TASS/Alexander Petrov

Easter vigil in Crimea

© ITAR-TASS/Stanislav Krasilnikov

© ITAR-TASS/Sergei Bobulev

The Russian Orthodox Church bases Easter date on the Julian calendar, unlike most western Christian churches that use the Gregorian calendar. That is why sometimes the date of Easter differs for believers of different confessions. This year, Christians all over the world celebrated Easter on one day. Get a glimpse of traditions of celebrating the holiday in Russia in this photo gallery by ITAR-TASS

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Russian troops liberate Novomikhailovka community in DPR — top brass

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UNESCO remains universal institution despite Western manipulation — Lavrov

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Russia invites all countries to develop North - South transport corridor — Putin

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Dollar almost completely gone from Russia-China trade relations — Lavrov

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Russia becomes Europe’s first economy despite 'pressure from all sides,' Putin says

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Russia’s UN envoy, Serbian leader discuss coordination on Kosovo at UN

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Russia has significant amount of West’s funds in case of confiscation of its assets

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New anti-Russian sanctions to include ban on LNG supplies — Swedish Foreign Minister

Tobias Billstrom deemed adopting the 14th sanctions package "one of the most important things"

Ukrainian intelligence predicts dire situation from mid-May onward

Kirill Budanov acknowledged that the Ukrainian army had long experienced problems on the frontline