Christian worshippers mark Easter in Turkey

ANKARA Easter celebrations were held in several provinces of Turkey on Sunday. Christian worshippers held a religious ceremony for Easter by praying and lighting candles. In Turkey’s southeastern Mardin province, Assyrians marked the sacred day by praying in Kirklar Church. Governor of Mardin Mustafa Yaman and other local officials visited the church and marked the holiday. Worshippers also gathered in Church of the Virgin Mary located in southeastern Diyarbakir province and hymned in Syriac. In southern Hatay, many Christians from the region came together in the Orthodox Church early in the morning. Alexander Cikrik, who serves as priest of the Sveti Georgi Bulgarian Orthodox Church in western Edirne province, gave worshippers sweet Easter bread and colorful eggs. Easter is a Christian holiday for commemorating the resurrection of Jesus. * Writing by Gozde Bayar