An estimated 300 million Christians belong to the Eastern Orthodox Church, which traces its development to the earliest church established by St. Paul and the Apostles. Its followers practice the original ancient traditions of the most Holy Day of the year, Pascha (Easter).

Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead is the center of the Orthodox Christian faith. Twelve weeks of preparation precede Pascha. This is made up of pre-lenten Sundays, Great Lent, and Holy Week. The faithful try to make this long journey with repentance, forgiveness, reconciliation, prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and study. The feast is then celebrated with a collection of services.