This year, Orthodox Easter falls on April 24, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
‘Our complex, difficult times’
In a letter to mark the occasion, the Polish Orthodox bishops referred to “our complex, difficult times of the pandemic, societal divisions and war operations.”
They stated that “in the light of faith, affirmed by the resurrection of Christ, these phenomena … pass and have no significance.”
The Polish Orthodox leaders added that “faith, affirmed by the resurrection of Christ, always helps us make sense of our illnesses, experiences and everything that happens around us and in the wider world.”
‘May Christ give you peace’
In their Easter message, Poland’s Orthodox bishops directly addressed the people of Ukraine as the country battles Vladimir Putin’s bloody invasion for the eighth successive week.
“May the resurrected Christ heal the wounds and pain in your hearts, conquer hatred and evil and give longed-for peace,” the letter said.
It will be read out to the Orthodox faithful during Easter mass, the PAP news agency reported.
According to national statistics, Poland’s Eastern Orthodox Church numbers 156,000 members. The Church itself puts the figure at up to 500,000, according to PAP.
Tuesday is day 55 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Poland on Monday reported it had welcomed 2.81 million refugees fleeing Russia’s assault on Ukraine.
(pm/gs)
Source: PAP, orthodox.pl