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Easter, the festival and holiday in Christianity celebrating Jesus Christ returning from death, was celebrated in Turkey on April 8.

Easter Day is the first Sunday after the spring equinox on March 21, when the full moon appears in the sky. Though the date of Easter Day can vary for that reason, it is usually recommended that the Easter Day fall on the second Sunday of April. This year, it was celebrated on April 8, 2018.

Some highlights and images from the Easter celebrations in Turkey were as follows:

İstanbul

The Easter Mass in the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Fener was celebrated under the guidance of Fener Greek Patriarch Bartholomeos. Prayers were offered and hymns were sung during the three-hour mass.

Diyarbakır

The Assyrians in Turkey's southeastern province of Diyarbakır attended the Easter Mass organized in the historical St. Mary Church, lighting candles and offering prayers.

During the mass led by Priest Yusuf Akbulut, a girls' choir sang hymns in Syriac and texts from the Bible were read. Priest Akbulut also preached a sermon in Turkish during the three-hour Easter Mass. After the mass, the guests were served eggs and buns.

Photograph: Şükrü Gündüz – Diyabakır / AA

Edirne

The Easter Mass held in Sveti Georgi Bulgarian Church in the district of Kıyık in Edirne was attended by a large number of Orthodox Christians and was led by the Priest of the church Aleksandır Çıkırık.

Photograph: DHA

Hatay

In Hatay, an Easter Mass was organized in Antakya Orthodox Church. During the mass held early in the morning, the Christian community of the city lighted candles, offered prayers, read texts from the Bible and sang hymns.

Photograph: Salim Taş – Hatay / AA

An Easter Mass was held in Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church in the district of Altınözü in Hatay.

Photograph: Recep Dağdelen – Hatay / AA

Easter in the district of İskenderun in Hatay was celebrated in the Orthodox Church.

Photograph: DHA

Mardin

Photograph: Halil İbrahim Sincar - Mardin / AA

The Assyrians living in Turkey's southeastern province of Mardin celebrated the Easter by attending the mass held in Kırklar Church. (HK/SD)