Easter has been marked and stopped by a deadly virus, which has not conditioned our faith in hope and Jesus, the cardinal said, recalling that Easter is the foundation of the Christian faith.
Bozanic wished all faithful a happy Easter, saying he understood their feelings at not being able to be in churches and calling on them to accept this test.
He said that all believers, notably in times of temptation and trouble, were called upon to pray for their country and all of humankind with new vigor.
Bozanic especially prayed for the faithful in the Zagreb area, hit by a devastating earthquake last month, to find strength for spiritual and material rebuilding.
Masses celebrated without believers across Croatia
Archbishops and bishops celebrated Easter Mass elsewhere in the country followed by the faithful on TV, radio and social media.
On Tuesday, Croatian bishops sent a joint Easter message to believers in line with a decision on the cancellation of all services and sacraments. They said it was one of their most difficult decisions, a result of a feeling of responsibility for the lives of the faithful and all believers as well as the competencies and powers of experts and civilian authorities.
The ban on all religious services to curb the spread of COVID-19 has been disrespected by some. Police said Mass was celebrated in a church in Cepin near Osijek as well as in a Split suburb.