The Eastern Orthodox faithful around the world celebrated the Resurrection of Jesus Christ on April 19.

St. Mary’s Orthodox Church in Coaldale celebrated this feast with the Rev. James Weremedic celebrating the service while his wife, Matushka Lisa and his son, Subdeacon James singing the responses.

In keeping with the church’s tradition, baskets of food were blessed.

Due to the COVID-19, the basket blessing was modified.

Parishioners drove by the front of the church, and Father James blessed the baskets through the passenger side windows. The baskets were filled with foods that many abstained from for the entire Lenten period. These foods typically include kielbasi, ham, bacon, eggs, cheese, horseradish sauce, Pascha bread and salt. Several even placed a lit candle in their baskets signifying the light of Christ.

The Paschal greeting in English, Russian, Greek, Arabic and Spanish:

Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!

Khristos Voskrese! Voistinu Voskrese! Christos Anesti! Alithos Anesti!

El Messiah! Hakken Kahm! Cristo ha Resucitado! Verdaderamente ha Resucitado!

For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:17