Orthodox Christians celebrate Easter next weekend. Cardinal Schönborn reminds those who cannot celebrate because of the war.
An estimated half a million Orthodox Christians live in Austria. They come from Greece and Romania, from Bulgaria and – very numerous – from Serbia. Eastern Christians also include the Copts of Egypt, who form a very lively community. So are the Syrian Orthodox, many of whom came to us as refugees. And of course the Russian Orthodox as well as the Ukrainian Orthodox, the latter fleeing the war.
They all celebrate Easter this Sunday according to the old Julian calendar. They all celebrate the biggest Christian festival of the year in a particularly solemn way. They greet each other these days with “Christ is risen” and respond: “He is indeed risen”.
Easter Truce?
How will Orthodox Christians in Russia and Ukraine celebrate Easter this year? They have the same faith, but they are at war with each other. Will the guns be silent at least on Easter? Is a true ceasefire observed when resurrection services are held? Easter bells instead of bombs? It would be a sign of hope in this terrible war!
Nav-Account CS Time 04.22.2022, 05:30 | Act: 04/22/2022, 05:30