Ukrainian police appeals to churchgoers and clergy to abide by air-raid warnings during services

Yana Osadcha, journalist

Law enforcement authorities are appealing to churchgoers and clergy not to ignore air-raid sirens during Orthodox Easter services.

The National Police further called on the faithful to respect the curfew and abide by the rules of martial law during the Orthodox Easter festivities.

"Services have been scheduled taking curfew into account. Moreover, the faithful are requested to consider the additional time needed to get to and from church," police says.

On Easter Sunday, 24 April, the police will be on high alert to ensure public safety near churches, on streets and on motorways.

Earlier, the head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine Epifaniy called on local parishes not to hold all-night vigils in regions where the security situation was precarious, and to join online broadcasts of services instead.

He stressed that people who wanted to get their Easter cakes blessed could come to churches after online prayer.

Earlier, Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council warned that Russian troops could organise provocations during the Easter holidays.