Orthodox Christians to observe Pascha (Easter) April 4

From the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America:

More than 250 million Orthodox Christians worldwide will celebrate Easter (Pascha) this Sunday, April 4. Faithful in great numbers, crowd churches for Holy Week services and in preparation for the Feast of Feasts, the Resurrection of Christ.

"In the joy and light of the glorious Resurrection of our Lord we gather on this Holy and Great Feast of Pascha to celebrate the life-giving presence and power of Christ," says Archbishop Demetrios, spiritual leader of 1.5 million Greek Orthodox Christians in America in his Easter Encyclical. "On this day, we give the highest praise to God for His love. On this feast, our thankfulness is unceasing, as we contemplate our restoration from death to life. Today, we offer the brightest witness throughout the world as we proclaim our faith in our Savior. On this day, our hearts are enlivened with the victory of the ages. Christ is risen. Death has been defeated, and we will live forever in blessed communion with God."

Read the full release and view photos of Holy Week services at the the Archdiocese Web site.