Easter celebrated in Turkey’s Hatay

By Burak Milli, Ozan Efeoglu

HATAY, Turkey

An Orthodox Church in the southern Turkish province of Hatay held rituals Saturday to mark Easter.

Christian residents of Hatay and surrounding districts took part in the Easter Vigil at the Orthodox Church in Iskenderun district.

Pastor Dimitri Yildirim delivered a message of brotherhood and peace during his speech at the celebration.

As part of the celebration, the church was decorated with lights and candles.

Easter, marked on April 1 by Western Christians and April 8 by Eastern Orthodox Christians, marks the crucifixion of Jesus and his resurrection three days later.