This year, the Catholic Christians and the Orthodox ones celebrate Easter at in interval of a week. On April 1, the Catholics celebrate Easter, while the Orthodox Christians observe Pam Sunday. In the congratulatory message addressed to Catholics on the occasion of Easter, Bishop Anton Cosa, of the Roman-Catholic Diocese of Chisinau, said the return to life of Christ represents the victory of life over death, IPN reports.
Anton Cosa noted that Easter celebrates victory over evil and death. Jesus Christ died, but is now alive and triumphs victoriously. During these days, it is important to show our complete adherence to the resurrection of Christ. Eternal life is pre-tasted by the resurrection of Christ.
The traditions, feelings and motivation of the Catholic Christians on Easter are mostly similar to those of the Orthodox Christians. The persons spiritually prepare for Easter during Lent when the Catholics are urged to become cleaner.
The Easter Liturgy is the longest during the year and usually starts at 8pm. A difference is that the Roman-Catholics do not have the Holy Fire brought from Jerusalem. The bishop lights the paschal candle that he blesses and shares Holy Light to the parishioners. On Palm Sunday, the Catholics after the service usually visit the parents and have family gatherings. They have the same paschal cakes and the same tradition of blessing the paschal food and painted eggs.
According to the last census, of 2014, in Moldova 0.1% of the population is Catholic.
