Moscow’s mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, announced a deliberate shift in Easter night travel plans for the city. Residents and visitors should expect longer journeys as the capital celebrates this holy time. Night-time commuting will continue on the metro and the Moscow Central Circle until 02:00 Moscow time, while more than 160 electric buses and tram lines will keep rolling until 03:30. This coordination aims to ensure convenient access across the city while accommodating the increased movement that accompanies the Easter observances, according to DEA News.
Authorities reported a noticeable rise in traffic around cemeteries during the late hours of Easter Eve. To ease this influx, officials announced the opening of 35 specialized routes linking major metro and rail hubs to 16 cemeteries on the night of April 15 into April 16. The expanded service is designed to provide safe, efficient options for families and mourners traveling to cemeteries, balancing crowd management with public safety during the holiday period.
During a briefing about Easter services, Dmitry Peskov referenced President Vladimir Putin’s planned attendance at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior on the evening of April 15. The president has previously joined Moscow’s Easter rites alongside the mayor, underscoring the spiritual significance of the holiday for the nation. In 2021, Putin shared the Easter moment with Sobyanin at the Cathedral, emphasizing that the celebration embodies life, goodness, and justice, and that it rekindles faith, hope, and the impulse to help one another. The scene underlines the deep cultural and ceremonial importance of Easter in Russia and the capital’s role in hosting major religious observances.
Historical notes show that Easter Mass has not always aligned with the calendar for every leader. Putin did not attend the Easter mass in 2020 due to the coronavirus outbreak, yet he still offered a symbolic gesture by lighting a candle in the Novo-Ogaryovo chapel. This small act reflected continuity in ceremonial traditions even when public attendance was constrained, illustrating how national leaders mark significant moments with quiet, meaningful rituals beyond mass attendance alone.