Orthodox Easter marked in the MENA region - in pictures

  • Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Christian deacon children carry candles during the Easter midnight mass in the Samaan El Kharaz Monastery in Cairo. Reuters
    Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Christian deacon children carry candles during the Easter midnight mass in the Samaan El Kharaz Monastery in Cairo. Reuters
  • Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Christian worshippers attend the mass in the Samaan El Kharaz Monastery. Reuters
    Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Christian worshippers attend the mass in the Samaan El Kharaz Monastery. Reuters
  • An Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Christian girl attends the Easter midnight mass with her mother. Reuters
    An Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Christian girl attends the Easter midnight mass with her mother. Reuters
  • Egyptian Christians pay at a midnight service to celebrate Christ's resurrection at St. Paul Coptic Orthodox Church in Cairo. AP
    Egyptian Christians pay at a midnight service to celebrate Christ's resurrection at St. Paul Coptic Orthodox Church in Cairo. AP
  • Egyptian Coptic Orthodox worshippers at St. Paul Coptic Orthodox Church. AP
    Egyptian Coptic Orthodox worshippers at St. Paul Coptic Orthodox Church. AP
  • Greek Orthodox Christians light candles with the 'Holy Fire' at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Beirut, Lebanon. EPA
    Greek Orthodox Christians light candles with the 'Holy Fire' at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Beirut, Lebanon. EPA
  • A Greek Orthodox Christian priest holds up the Holy Fire as he arrives at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral from Jerusalem through Amman, in Beirut. EPA
    A Greek Orthodox Christian priest holds up the Holy Fire as he arrives at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral from Jerusalem through Amman, in Beirut. EPA
  • Greek Orthodox Christians light candles with the 'Holy Fire' in Beirut. EPA
    Greek Orthodox Christians light candles with the 'Holy Fire' in Beirut. EPA
  • Palestinian Christians attend an Orthodox service during Easter night in Gaza City. AFP
    Palestinian Christians attend an Orthodox service during Easter night in Gaza City. AFP
  • Orthodox Christian believers mark the Holy Week of Easter in celebration of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. AFP
    Orthodox Christian believers mark the Holy Week of Easter in celebration of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. AFP
  • Palestinian Christians attend an Orthodox service during Easter night. AFP
    Palestinian Christians attend an Orthodox service during Easter night. AFP
  • The Eastern Orthodox world celebrates Easter Day according to the old Julian calendar. AFP
    The Eastern Orthodox world celebrates Easter Day according to the old Julian calendar. AFP
  • Worshippers attend the 'Holy Fire' ceremony outside the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Reuters
    Worshippers attend the 'Holy Fire' ceremony outside the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Reuters
  • Worshippers outside the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Reuters
    Worshippers outside the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Reuters
  • An Orthodox priest shows his lit candles in the courtyard of Jerusalem's Holy Sepulchre church. AFP
    An Orthodox priest shows his lit candles in the courtyard of Jerusalem's Holy Sepulchre church. AFP
  • Christian worshippers gather at the Tomb of Christ as they wait for the 'Holy Fire' ceremony to occur, in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, in Jerusalem. EPA
    Christian worshippers gather at the Tomb of Christ as they wait for the 'Holy Fire' ceremony to occur, in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, in Jerusalem. EPA
  • Eastern Orthodox Christians believe the 'Holy Fire' spontaneously lights other lamps and candles around the church and reaches Jerusalem and even foreign countries. AFP
    Eastern Orthodox Christians believe the 'Holy Fire' spontaneously lights other lamps and candles around the church and reaches Jerusalem and even foreign countries. AFP
  • Christian worshippers gather at the Tomb of Christ as they wait for the miracle of the Holy Fire ceremony to occur, in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, in Jerusalem, Israel. EPA
    Christian worshippers gather at the Tomb of Christ as they wait for the miracle of the Holy Fire ceremony to occur, in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, in Jerusalem, Israel. EPA
  • A worshipper shows her candles in the courtyard of Jerusalem's Holy Sepulchre church. AFP
    A worshipper shows her candles in the courtyard of Jerusalem's Holy Sepulchre church. AFP
  • A custodian in charge of the ancient key to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre unlocks the doors ahead of the Holy Fire ceremony in Jerusalem's old city. AFP
    A custodian in charge of the ancient key to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre unlocks the doors ahead of the Holy Fire ceremony in Jerusalem's old city. AFP