Zelenskyy congratulated Christians of the Eastern rite on Easter: «Ukrainians kneel only in prayer»

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated Ukrainians on Easter.

He recorded the video message on the territory of St. Sophia Cathedral, where one of the exhibitions of Ukrainian artists devoted to the war is now located.

«Easter symbolizes the liberation of the human soul from slavery, evil and darkness. The victory of goodness and justice. Victory of life over death. We are fighting for all this for 802 days in a row. 802 days when the will confronts the darkness. Valor opposes terror. 802 days of our resistance,» the president said in a video message.

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Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that all Ukrainians are united today by one common prayer.

«For all our soldiers who celebrate Easter in the trenches and in positions. For our warriors of light, who restrain demons in all directions. For those who follow one more commandment in life: to protect Ukraine. For all of them to return alive,» he said.

The president added that Ukrainians will wait for «peace, truth and God, who will return to the scorched earth.»

«The light that will return to all the land given by our Lord, to all territories that are temporarily occupied by devils. God will return to Mariupol. On the shores and coasts of the seas. It has always been so. It will definitely be so. I believe it every day, and especially on this great day in this great place. The history of which reminds: neither the Horde invasion, nor Nazi occupation, nor Russian terror will be able to wipe us off the face of the Earth,» said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

As a reminder, Easter will be celebrated in Ukraine this year on May 5. The cost of an Easter basket in Ukraine, compared to last year, has increased somewhat. However, the main names — paska and eggs — on the contrary, became cheaper. According to estimates, this year's basket will cost Ukrainians 1,581 hryvnias. Last spring, a similar set of products cost 1,468 hryvnias, that is, the price of the basket increased by 7.7% over the year.

The main component of the basket — homemade paska according to a traditional recipe (700 grams of flour, 6 eggs, 150 grams of butter, 300 grams of milk, 400 grams of sugar, yeast and 200 grams of raisins) — will cost 181 hryvnias this year. This is 2.2% cheaper compared to 2023.

During the Easter holidays and memorial days in the Kherson region, it was forbidden to hold religious services during the curfew, consecration on the territory of religious buildings and visit cemeteries.

The head of the Department of Preventive Activities of the National Police, Maksym Akhramieiev, said that the police will monitor compliance with the rules and conduct preventive talks with violators on Easter. 23,000 police officers will maintain order on this day.

It was previously reported that the duration of the curfew will not be reduced in the Mykolaiv region on the Easter holiday. However, residents of the region were urged to refrain from visiting temples.