End of the Easter liturgy: the faithful leave the church with its sparkling domes and position themselves in an arc, just in front of the building. The priest then blesses each of them, who all wear baskets filled with krachanka and pisanka, decorated eggs, as well as paska, traditional buns.
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Zirka covered her hair with a colorful scarf. Her sister’s husband is in the Ukrainian army, her granddaughter and her husband are in the territorial brigades: “It is very important for us, especially this year, because in this misfortune, we need hope and joy. There I read psalm 90, the strongest for the protection of God.”
Like her, the faithful need comfort. The church fathers take the time to speak with those who feel the need on this particular day. “Everyone experiences tragic times. People do not worry about themselves but rather about their loved ones. This Easter is special because we are sad and, at the same time, we are happy because Christ is risen. The bombing of Odessa yesterday and the death of a baby touched the hearts of the clergy, but we hope that God will give us the strength to endure this inhuman ordeal“, whispers Father Mikhail.
On the forecourt of the Saint-Michel church, men and women in military fatigues mingle with the crowd, like Oleksandrwhich is part of the territorial brigades: “Our nation and our people are very religious and it helps us a lot to endure everything that happens: to defend our land, our people and our independence.“
“Without faith, it is impossible to bear all that one bears.”
In Lena’s basket, a bottle of wine, candles and pretty embroidery. This little blond woman wants to believe in the victory of her country: “Ukraine will recover, free itself from the invasion of the occupiers. The people are worthy and deserve to live in peace“, she hopes, confident at last, “I live knowing that in the end there will be peace…“