Around the World: Unique Easter Customs and Celebrations

Easter Sunday was celebrated worldwide, marking the most important festival on the Christian calendar. Tens of thousands of worshippers gathered in St. Peter’s Square to participate in the Easter Sunday Mass led by Pope Francis. According to the Bible, Jesus was resurrected on this day after dying on the cross on Good Friday. Many people also attended services on Saturday evening in addition to Sunday.

Despite concerns about his health, Pope Francis pulled out of a ceremony unexpectedly and participated in a two-hour vigil at the Vatican on Saturday. The 87-year-old pontiff read a lengthy homily and performed several baptisms, reassuring his followers about his wellbeing. Easter celebrations took place in various locations across the globe, including the Philippines, where worshippers enjoyed traditional processions.

In Manila, children dressed as angels and prayed while in Nairobi’s Kiberia district, worshippers lit candles together. Easter Sunday is a significant day for 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide, with services being held in churches across Europe, capitals, cities and towns. In Sri Lanka, at St. Sebastian’s Church, a Catholic priest administered Holy communions to Christian devotees.

Services were conducted at European capitals and towns as well as cities like Jerusalem’s Old City where Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa led a Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. In Al-Hamdaniya, Iraq, worshippers kissed a cross during an Easter vigil service at the Grand Immaculate Church. Easter Sunday is a time of celebration, worship and renewal for Christians around the world.

Amidst these celebrations and services many countries have unique customs that make their festivities special like Philippines traditional processions or lighting candles together in Nairobi’s Kiberia district or kissing a cross during an Easter vigil service in Al-Hamdaniya