Christians in Croatia who observe the old, Julian calendar are celebrating Easter in their churches and homes across the country on Sunday.

In his Easter message, the Serb Orthodox Bishop of Zagreb and Ljubljana, Porfirije Peric, called on believers to forgive each other and thus start changing their lives.

“Brothers and sisters, endless waves of joy and love today wash our souls because the Son of God was raised to life, thus defeating death and bringing meaning to our lives… death was defeated and life triumphs,” said Peric.

“We are faced daily with problems and challenges – terrorism, poverty… Let us embrace one another, forgive one another and thus start transforming our lives,” the dignitary said in his message, among other things.

Senior Croatian state officials, as well as representatives of the Roman Catholic Church, have extended their best wishes to the Christian faithful who celebrate Easter according to the Julian calendar.