Orthodox Christians in Bulgaria on Sunday celebrated Easter with church services and folk festivals.
Maxim, the 93-year-old patriarch of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, led the traditional resurrection mass in the capital Sofia at midnight as well as Easter Sunday mass, the dpa reported.
In regions inhabited by Turks in the south-east of the Balkan nation, Christians and Muslims alike celebrated the most important feast for Orthodox Christians, which does not coincide this year with celebrations for other Christians.
More than 10,000 Romanians have meanwhile travelled to Bulgaria as tourists to spend Easter in the cheaper neighbouring country. Popular destinations include the city of Russe on the Danube river and the Black Sea coast resort of Varna.