RussiaToday Apr 3, 2010 Christians around the world are marking Holy Saturday, the day before Easter. It commemorates the day Jesus lay in the tomb - and this year it's celebrated on the same day by Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant believers. … [Plus]

RussiaToday Apr 3, 2010 Christians around the world are marking Holy Saturday, the day before Easter. It commemorates the day Jesus lay in the tomb - and this year it's celebrated on the same day by Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant believers. Thousands of pilgrims from across the globe have gathered in Jerusalem to see the centuries old 'Holy Fire' ritual. The vigil - seen as a message from Jesus that he hasn't forgotten his followers - sees the arrival of the 'sacred fire' which is then used to light candles shared among the crowds. Viewed by Christians as a 'miracle' - the event happens yearly and takes place in the Church of the Resurrection in Jerusalem on Holy Saturday. The centuries old ritual symbolises new beginnings, cleansing and the start of spring. Meanwhile, final preparations before Easter are going ahead in Russian churches with traditional services being held for thousands of believers. Eggs, and special cakes also known as 'Kulich' are being blessed by priests as part of the annual ceremony. And today is also the last day of Lent, a period in which the faithful fast and abstain in order to gain spiritual strength. RT's Svetlana Kurakina had a go at creating her own easter symbol.

RussiaToday Apr 3, 2010 Christians around the world are marking Holy Saturday, the day before Easter. It commemorates the day Jesus lay in the tomb - and this year it's celebrated on the same day by Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant believers. Thousands of pilgrims from across the globe have gathered in Jerusalem to see the centuries old 'Holy Fire' ritual. The vigil - seen as a message from Jesus that he hasn't forgotten his followers - sees the arrival of the 'sacred fire' which is then used to light candles shared among the crowds. Viewed by Christians as a 'miracle' - the event happens yearly and takes place in the Church of the Resurrection in Jerusalem on Holy Saturday. The centuries old ritual symbolises new beginnings, cleansing and the start of spring. Meanwhile, final preparations before Easter are going ahead in Russian churches with traditional services being held for thousands of believers. Eggs, and special cakes also known as 'Kulich' are being blessed by priests as part of the annual ceremony. And today is also the last day of Lent, a period in which the faithful fast and abstain in order to gain spiritual strength. RT's Svetlana Kurakina had a go at creating her own easter symbol.

RussiaToday Apr 3, 2010 Christians around the world are marking Holy Saturday, the day before Easter. It commemorates the day Jesus lay in the tomb - and this year it's celebrated on the same day by Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant believers. Thousands of pilgrims from across the globe have gathered in Jerusalem to see the centuries old 'Holy Fire' ritual. The vigil - seen as a message from Jesus that he hasn't forgotten his followers - sees the arrival of the 'sacred fire' which is then used to light candles shared among the crowds. Viewed by Christians as a 'miracle' - the event happens yearly and takes place in the Church of the Resurrection in Jerusalem on Holy Saturday. The centuries old ritual symbolises new beginnings, cleansing and the start of spring. Meanwhile, final preparations before Easter are going ahead in Russian churches with traditional services being held for thousands of believers. Eggs, and special cakes also known as 'Kulich' are being blessed by priests as part of the annual ceremony. And today is also the last day of Lent, a period in which the faithful fast and abstain in order to gain spiritual strength. RT's Svetlana Kurakina had a go at creating her own easter symbol.

RussiaToday Apr 3, 2010 Christians around the world are marking Holy Saturday, the day before Easter. It commemorates the day Jesus lay in the tomb - and this year it's celebrated on the same day by Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant believers. Thousands of pilgrims from across the globe have gathered in Jerusalem to see the centuries old 'Holy Fire' ritual. The vigil - seen as a message from Jesus that he hasn't forgotten his followers - sees the arrival of the 'sacred fire' which is then used to light candles shared among the crowds. Viewed by Christians as a 'miracle' - the event happens yearly and takes place in the Church of the Resurrection in Jerusalem on Holy Saturday. The centuries old ritual symbolises new beginnings, cleansing and the start of spring. Meanwhile, final preparations before Easter are going ahead in Russian churches with traditional services being held for thousands of believers. Eggs, and special cakes also known as 'Kulich' are being blessed by priests as part of the annual ceremony. And today is also the last day of Lent, a period in which the faithful fast and abstain in order to gain spiritual strength. RT's Svetlana Kurakina had a go at creating her own easter symbol.

RussiaToday Apr 3, 2010 Christians around the world are marking Holy Saturday, the day before Easter. It commemorates the day Jesus lay in the tomb - and this year it's celebrated on the same day by Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant believers. Thousands of pilgrims from across the globe have gathered in Jerusalem to see the centuries old 'Holy Fire' ritual. The vigil - seen as a message from Jesus that he hasn't forgotten his followers - sees the arrival of the 'sacred fire' which is then used to light candles shared among the crowds. Viewed by Christians as a 'miracle' - the event happens yearly and takes place in the Church of the Resurrection in Jerusalem on Holy Saturday. The centuries old ritual symbolises new beginnings, cleansing and the start of spring. Meanwhile, final preparations before Easter are going ahead in Russian churches with traditional services being held for thousands of believers. Eggs, and special cakes also known as 'Kulich' are being blessed by priests as part of the annual ceremony. And today is also the last day of Lent, a period in which the faithful fast and abstain in order to gain spiritual strength. RT's Svetlana Kurakina had a go at creating her own easter symbol.

RussiaToday Apr 3, 2010 Christians around the world are marking Holy Saturday, the day before Easter. It commemorates the day Jesus lay in the tomb - and this year it's celebrated on the same day by Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant believers. Thousands of pilgrims from across the globe have gathered in Jerusalem to see the centuries old 'Holy Fire' ritual. The vigil - seen as a message from Jesus that he hasn't forgotten his followers - sees the arrival of the 'sacred fire' which is then used to light candles shared among the crowds. Viewed by Christians as a 'miracle' - the event happens yearly and takes place in the Church of the Resurrection in Jerusalem on Holy Saturday. The centuries old ritual symbolises new beginnings, cleansing and the start of spring. Meanwhile, final preparations before Easter are going ahead in Russian churches with traditional services being held for thousands of believers. Eggs, and special cakes also known as 'Kulich' are being blessed by priests as part of the annual ceremony. And today is also the last day of Lent, a period in which the faithful fast and abstain in order to gain spiritual strength. RT's Svetlana Kurakina had a go at creating her own easter symbol.

RussiaToday Apr 3, 2010 Christians around the world are marking Holy Saturday, the day before Easter. It commemorates the day Jesus lay in the tomb - and this year it's celebrated on the same day by Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant believers. Thousands of pilgrims from across the globe have gathered in Jerusalem to see the centuries old 'Holy Fire' ritual. The vigil - seen as a message from Jesus that he hasn't forgotten his followers - sees the arrival of the 'sacred fire' which is then used to light candles shared among the crowds. Viewed by Christians as a 'miracle' - the event happens yearly and takes place in the Church of the Resurrection in Jerusalem on Holy Saturday. The centuries old ritual symbolises new beginnings, cleansing and the start of spring. Meanwhile, final preparations before Easter are going ahead in Russian churches with traditional services being held for thousands of believers. Eggs, and special cakes also known as 'Kulich' are being blessed by priests as part of the annual ceremony. And today is also the last day of Lent, a period in which the faithful fast and abstain in order to gain spiritual strength. RT's Svetlana Kurakina had a go at creating her own easter symbol.