How will churches operate and will the curfew change for Easter?
In the Kherson region, Easter celebrations will take place with additional restrictions due to the security situation. A celebration format is being prepared for residents that minimizes risks to their lives and health.
This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing the head of the Kherson Regional State Administration, Alexander Prokudin.
Also read: Prices will soar before Easter: which products to buy now to save money
Main points:
- Reason for restrictions: Due to constant shelling in the region, additional security measures are being implemented.
- Night services: The Defense Council plans to approve a complete ban on worship services during the curfew.
- Blessing of baskets: It is recommended to conduct this outdoors without large gatherings of people, starting from Holy Saturday.
- Prohibited areas: It is strictly forbidden to be in churches located in the coastal zone.
- Safe locations: Clergy are advised to hold services in “lower churches.”
- Cemeteries: Visiting cemeteries may be restricted for everyone except funeral processions.
- Patrolling: During the holidays, the number of law enforcement officers in populated areas will be increased.
Why restrictions are being introduced
The head of the Regional State Administration notes that the region has been celebrating Easter under wartime conditions for the fourth consecutive year. During this time, Russian shelling has damaged 43 religious sites and completely destroyed another 15 churches. In particular, places where people come to pray have also been hit.
That is why, during a meeting of the Council of Churches and religious organizations in the region, additional security measures were discussed. Primarily, measures are planned to reduce the number of mass events.
What restrictions are planned
The authorities, together with the clergy, discussed the possibility of a complete ban on conducting worship services in the Kherson region during the curfew.
Blessing Easter baskets is recommended to be done outdoors, but without large gatherings of people. To facilitate this, they plan to conduct blessings more frequently, starting from Holy Saturday.
Where possible, worship services are recommended to be held in lower churches, which are considered safer. At the same time, believers will be prohibited from being in churches located in the coastal zone. Access to cemeteries may also be limited unless it concerns funeral processions.
Clergy are asked to conduct explanatory work among parishioners regarding these restrictions.
Strengthening security
During the holidays, the number of law enforcement officers and security personnel in the region will be increased. They will patrol the populated areas.
Final decisions are expected to be approved by the Defense Council of the Kherson region soon.
The authorities urge residents of the region to:
- respond to air raid alerts;
- pay attention to reports of drone attacks;
- observe safety rules during the holidays.
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine wrote about why Easter is celebrated on different dates in 2026 – April 5 for Catholics and April 12 for Orthodox Christians. The date of the holiday is determined annually by a special algorithm (after the spring equinox and full moon); however, due to the use of different calendars and paschals in Western and Eastern traditions, there is a difference of about a week. Despite the Orthodox Church of Ukraine transitioning to a new calendar, the principle of calculating Easter for Orthodox Christians remains the same.
We also discussed Holy Thursday, its significance, and the traditions of celebration in Ukraine.
