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WEIRTON — Millions of Orthodox Christians are celebrating Easter this weekend with special worship services commemorating the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The Rev. Andrew Nelko of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church of Weirton noted the difference in dates is because many western Christian churches follow the Gregorian calendar while the Orthodox church adheres to the older Julian calendar.

That distinction results in Orthodox Lent ending before Holy Week but like many other Christians, members of the Orthodox church are encouraged to fast up to Easter Sunday.

Nelko said members are encouraged to abstain from meat, fish and dairy products during that time, with most abstaining from meat and others from fish and dairy according to their dietary needs.

As with other Christian denominations, worship services on Easter weekend begin with a melancholy remembrance of Christ’s death on the cross followed by a joyous celebration of his resurrection.

Nelko noted 17 worship services are held during the eight days of Holy Week, which begins with Lazarus Saturday.

He noted baptisms, which represent a call to new life, are common on that day when the church remembers that Christ brought Lazarus back to life.

Nelko said on Good Friday the sanctuary is dark, illuminated only by candlelight, for the evening Good Friday service, which is centered around a shroud representing the buried Christ.

He noted that in the Bible’s account of Christ’s death, “We hear the earth was darkened, the sun hid itself.”

Nelko added the church’s interior remains dark until a point during Saturday night’s service, when members will march from the sanctuary, singing praises to Christ, before returning to find it fully lighted to represent Christ’s resurrection.

“It becomes a very joyous occasion,” he said.

It’s also traditional to hold the service within hours of midnight.

Nelko said members of all ages attend the late-night service, with young children often dressed in pajamas.

“But they never fall asleep. It (the service) is too light and joyous,” he said.

Nelko said following the service, members gather for a meal that often includes lamb, kielbasa or other meat supplied by the church and baskets they have filled with a variety of other food.

Easter favorites include hard-boiled eggs dyed red, for the blood of Christ; and sweet bread, which is leavened with yeast as a reminder of the unleavened bread consumed by the Moses-led Jews and a new covenant God has presented to his people through Christ.

Nelko noted the Orthodox Easter observance is known as Pascha, the Greek word for Passover, a Jewish holiday that celebrates the ancient Israelites’ escape, through God’s hands, from slavery by the Egyptians.

“Christ is our Passover because in his death or blood, we are free from bondage or death,” he said, noting Christ’s promise of eternal life for his followers.

Nelko said another short service is held Sunday afternoon, but much of the day is spent at family gatherings.

He was asked if after so many services and a late night of worship if members are tired.

Nelko said rather than being exhausted, “We have so much energy. It’s an interesting phenomenon. It’s a very beautiful, unique situation.”

(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)