The leaders of the Orthodox Churches issued Easter messages calling for peace and love, and underlining the tragedies and injustices faced throughout the world.

Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece issued an Easter message referring to the unfavourable situation and the ordeal the country is experiencing while underlining that "each time our nation was on the verge of becoming debilitated was lifted up by the hope brought by the Resurrection."

He also urged the faithful to be fearless when faced with injustice, illness, daily hardships, the economic crisis or insecurity for the future and become "people of Resurrection".

The disaster in Japan, wars and terrorist acts which in combination with the economic crisis create a nightmarish global picture, were underlined in Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomewβs Easter message.

He referred to the "arrogant human mind" that attempts to harness the immensely stronger forces of nature, noting that this attitude is directly linked with the "spiritual deviation of the human race". Faith in the Risen Christ forms the only path modern man should follow, the Ecumenical Patriarch underlined.

Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem referred to the pastoral, philanthropic, social and peace-keeping work performed through the centuries by the Church in the Holy Land and wished to the faithful good health, prosperity and progress.

Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria and All Africa highlighted the social problems of abused women in Africa, human trafficking and illegal migration. He also referred to the recent incidents in Egypt that have changed the course of the countryβs history.

Patriarch Irinej of Serbia wished Happy Easter to all Christians, underlining that relations between peoples and individual human beings are being threatened by egoism, envy, violence and hatred.