Greeks celebrate Orthodox Christian Easter amid debt, refugee crises

Greeks celebrated the Orthodox Christian Easter on Sunday exchanging wishes for better days to come for the country which is tested by the debt and refugee crises.

After attending the Easter mass at churches nationwide to mark the Resurrection of Christ, worshipers gathered around the table with family members and friends to enjoy the traditional Easter meal.

Under the specter of the six-year debt crisis which has fueled unemployment and poverty rates as well the refugee crisis which reached Greece's doorstep a year ago, Greek people expressed hope for a better future.

In their messages for the day political leaders reflected the determination to work harder to address the challenges.

"The international community and in particular our European family have a duty to protect all human lives," said Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos, referring to the refugee crisis.

According to the latest data released from the Greek government this week, about 54,000 refugees have remained stranded in Greece since February, when borders to central Europe closed.

More than one million people who have fled conflicts and poverty have passed through Greece from Turkey and reached northern European countries since early 2015.

Debt laden Greece has requested more support from European partners to tackle the challenge, as well as the economic crisis.

"The Resurrection the Greek people are awaiting -and deserve- is indeed coming," Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said in his Easter message.

The delay in the conclusion of the first review of the third bailout Greece signed with its international creditors last summer has refueled scenarios in media of a possible default and Grexit in coming months.

Government ministers assure that the talks which started in autumn on the next set of policies Greece will implement in exchange of more aid, will be concluded in coming days.

Following a round of telephone discussions Tsipras had with European leaders this week, a Eurogroup meeting has been scheduled for May 9.

Greek officials expect that Athens will get the green light to the disbursement of the next bailout tranche and the start of discussion on debt sustainability. Endit