As Easter approaches, cities in Siberia are preparing for large processions that will temporarily disrupt traffic. In Irkutsk, several streets in the city center will be closed on April 20, 2025, due to the Easter procession, which will run from the Epiphany Cathedral to the Haralampievsky Temple. According to the city administration, restrictions will be in effect on streets including Sukhe-Batora, Lenina, Surikova, 5th Army, Chkalova, Gorky, and Gagarin Boulevard.
The procession is scheduled to take place from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Local authorities are advising motorists to plan their routes in advance and choose alternative paths to avoid delays. Additionally, public transportation will also be affected; buses numbered 12 and 16k will alter their routes when traveling from the Central Market stop toward the city center. After Lenin Street, these buses will divert along Kanadzavy, Marata, and Chkalova streets, and the stop at "Speransky Square" will be excluded from their itinerary. Furthermore, buses numbered 56 will also adjust their routes, following along Rabochaya and Lenina streets after the Ushakovsky Bridge, while the stop at "Kirov Square" will be removed from their schedule.
Public services will be held at the Epiphany Cathedral located on Sukhe-Batora Street, 1a. The night Easter service will commence on April 19, 2025, at 11:20 PM, followed by the Easter Vespers on April 20, 2025, at 3:30 PM.
Meanwhile, the city of Chita is also gearing up for its Easter celebrations, which will include two processions. The first will take place during the night from April 19 to April 20, 2025, while the second will occur on April 20, 2025. The government of Zabaykalsky Krai announced that roads in the center of Chita will be closed and trolleybus routes will be modified on April 20 due to these events.
The solemn Easter service in Chita will take place at the Kazan Cathedral at 11:30 PM on April 19, 2025. The first procession will begin at 11:30 PM and continue until 12:30 AM, traversing Butina, Petrovskaya, Leningradskaya, and Amurskaya streets. During this time, both public and private transport will face temporary restrictions.
For those relying on trolleybus services, changes will be implemented overnight from April 19 to April 20, 2025. Trolleybus number 1 will operate from the Cathedral to SibVO, Kashak village, and the depot, while trolleybus number 6 will travel from the Cathedral to Sosnovy Bor, the Central Market, and the depot.
On April 20, 2025, traffic restrictions will also be in effect from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM along several main routes, including 9 January Street, Polina Osipenko, Babushkina, Leningradskaya, Butina, and Amurskaya streets. This will coincide with the second stage of the Easter procession.
As communities come together to celebrate this significant religious occasion, local authorities are urging residents and visitors to be mindful of the changes in traffic patterns and to plan their travel accordingly. With two cities hosting processions that highlight the cultural and spiritual importance of Easter, Irkutsk and Chita are set to witness a blend of tradition and community spirit, even amidst the temporary disruptions.
