Пасха (Easter)

It was quite refreshing to see how Easter is celebrated amongst the people of Ukraine. Both Believers and non-Believers alike celebrate, and like the other major holidays, it is a day to spend with family and, of course, eat. What made this Easter special was the time following church. I was invited to my friend’s home to have lunch with them after church, and together we all went to the center of town where the evangelical community in Berdyansk had put together a parade and concert for the afternoon. The venue of the concert was the main square in the city by the sea, which is also home to the city’s statue of Lenin.
It was amazing to contrast this crowd of Believers gathered in a time of worship with the statue of Lenin in the background, a wonderful indication of how times have changed in Ukraine.

* Sign reads "Jesus is the Savior of Ukraine"