Online and in-person services: how and where to have your Easter basket blessed under martial law

Easter celebrations in Ukraine in 2026 are taking place against a backdrop of martial law and heightened security measures. Believers have been advised on how to attend church services where online attendance is permitted, and what restrictions will apply due to the curfew. Find out how to celebrate the holiday safely without breaking the rules

Take care of reliable insurance for safe entry and stay in Ukraine

GET A POLICY

In 2026, the celebration of the Resurrection of Christ, which falls on 12 April, is once again taking place under martial law. The safety of parishioners remains the top priority, so traditional church rites have been adapted to the harsh realities, and the clergy have provided clear guidance on how to participate in the festive services.

Easter 2026 services: in person or online

Representatives of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine draw the faithful’s attention to the significant difference between attending a service in person and watching an online broadcast. Watching the liturgy remotely is not a full substitute for being present in church. The clergy compare this situation to communicating from a distance: just as a video call can never replace a live embrace from loved ones, so too does a broadcast merely transmit sound and images, without allowing one to fully experience the grace.

The key difference lies in the impossibility of remote participation in the Church’s Sacraments. Confession, Communion or Baptism require the direct physical participation of the believer and the priest. Virtual contemplation of the Divine Liturgy cannot fully quench spiritual thirst, just as looking at food cannot relieve a person of real hunger. The church remains the same sacred place where living communal prayer and the unity of the congregation take place.

Don't want to miss important updates and useful articles? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!

When the online format becomes a lifeline

Despite the absolute priority of physical presence, the Church recognises video broadcasts as a vital measure for many Ukrainians. The use of the internet and television is entirely justified for those who are in active combat zones, undergoing treatment in hospitals, have been forced to leave their homes, or simply do not have the physical means to reach an Orthodox church safely. In such difficult circumstances, joining in prayer virtually becomes the only way to feel the support of the clergy and share in the joy of the feast, whilst preserving the highest value of all — human life.

Curfew and All-Night Vigil

This year’s traditional Easter night services will take place in individual dioceses, but they will be strictly subject to wartime regulations. In Kyiv and the vast majority of Ukraine’s regions, the curfew, which traditionally runs from midnight to five o’clock in the morning, will not be lifted. This means a strict ban on being out on the streets and moving around the city at night.

Believers wishing to celebrate the feast directly at the All-Night Vigil must arrive at their chosen church before the curfew begins. Leaving the church grounds before dawn will be prohibited by law.

Parishioners will remain inside the church throughout the night, praying together with the clergy until the morning lifting of movement restrictions, after which they will be able to return home safely.

How Easter will be celebrated in 2026

To minimise risks and avoid large gatherings of people, which could become targets for hostile provocations, the schedule for the blessing of Easter gifts has been extended as much as possible. Easter cakes can be blessed in churches from the afternoon of Holy Saturday, 11 April, until the evening curfew begins. The process itself will resume early on Sunday morning, immediately after the streets are reopened to parishioners.

This time window allows people to come to church in small groups at a time convenient for them, without creating dangerous queues. An important rule remains the procedure to follow in the event of an air raid threat: if an air raid alert is sounded, the blessing ceremony is immediately interrupted, and clergy are obliged to direct everyone present to the nearest shelters. For those who are forced to stay at home for their own safety, the Church allows them to sprinkle their Easter dishes with holy water themselves whilst watching the festive broadcast.

When looking after your safety whilst travelling, it is important to bear one detail in mind: standard international travel insurance policies are often invalid under martial law. Most foreign insurance companies classify any incidents, even those indirectly linked to military operations, as force majeure.

To feel confident and know that you will receive assistance in any situation, we recommend taking out a policy covering military risks on the Visit Ukraine portal.

Please note! Easter in Europe is accompanied by restrictions on shops, transport and entertainment. Find out what rules apply in different countries and how to prepare for travel during the holidays.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

We recommend purchasing it for a safe and comfortable trip to Ukraine: 

Visit Ukraine Insurance – insurance covering military risks for entry and travel in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Car Insurance – car insurance with extended coverage in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Legal Advice – comprehensive legal support on entry to Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Tickets – bus and train tickets to/from Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Tours – the largest online database of tours to Ukraine for every taste;

Visit Ukraine Hotels – hotels for a comfortable stay in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Merch – patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.

© 2018-2026, Visit Ukraine. Use, copying or reprinting of materials on this site is permitted only with a link (hyperlink for online publications) to Visit Ukraine.

All rights reserved.