Catholic liturgy

Slovenia has a rich heritage of Easter customs, which vary from one part of the country to another, just like the dishes served on the occasion. Imbued with symbolism, the dishes are the centrepiece of family gatherings.

It's no secret that we Greeks love Easter ("Pascha"). In the Orthodox Christian Church, it is the most important religious holiday of the year, a time of intense spiritual reflection and solemnity.

Serbian Orthodox Church and the faithful celebrate the second day of Easter, popularly called Holy Monday. This day also marks the beginning of a "Bright" Week, or Renewal Week. It is the period of seven days beginning on Easter and continuing up to (but not including) the following Sunday, which is known as Thomas Sunday.

Today is Holy Saturday - the last day of Holy Week. Orthodox Christians are preparing to celebrate the feast of feasts - the Resurrection of Christ. Church services recall the burial of Jesus Christ and the Savior's descent into Hell.

According to the church hymns, Holy Saturday is overly blessed, because in it Christ, asleep, will be resurrected in three-day period.

Today, Holy Thursday, the Orthodox Church commemorates a number of events in the last days of Jesus Christ related to his saving work for humanity.

For the Orthodox world, today is Holy Monday. This is the first day of Holy Week, which commemorates the last days of the earthly life of Jesus Christ.

Vratsa Metropolitan Gregory:

Ljubljana/Maribor – Ljubljana Archbishop and Metropolitan Stanislav Zore held an Easter Sunday mass in the Ljubljana Cathedral to note that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is something that brought new hope and life. Masses of the Resurrection of the Lord were held in numerous other churches around the country.

Assumption or the Great Mother of God is one of the 12 largest Christian holidays, celebrated equally by Orthodox, Catholics and other Christian denominations.

This day is dedicated to the death of the Mother of God or her sleep.

On Easter Sunday the atmosphere of the Church switches gears, and instead of a focusing on death and sorrow, the Church is alive and resplendent with joy. Jesus is risen!

This is emphasized in a particular in many Eastern Churches. The week following Easter Sunday is called "Bright Week," and refers to the light that Jesus has brought into the world.

In address on his facebook page President Rumen Radev congratulated Bulgarians on Easter.

"Dear compatriots,