Kevin Frayer, Getty ImagesA newly baptized Chinese Catholic worshipper prays during a special ceremony at a mass on Holy Saturday during Easter celebrations at the government sanctioned West Beijing Catholic Church on April 15, 2017 in Beijing, China. China, an officially atheist country, places a number of restrictions on Christians, allowing legal practice of the faith only at state-approved churches. The policy has driven an increasing number of Christians and Christian converts 'underground' to congregations in private homes and other venues. While the size of the religious community is difficult to measure, studies estimate there are more than 80 million Christians inside China; some studies support the possibility it could become the most Christian nation in the world in the coming years. Officially there have been no relations between China and the Vatican since the country's modern founding in 1949 though in recent years there have been signs of warming relations between Chinese president Xi Jinping and Pope Francis that could possibly allow greater religious freedom in the future. At present, the split means approved Chinese Christians worship within a state-sanctioned Church known as the Patriotic Association which regards the Communist Party as its leader, not the Pope in Rome.
Hector Retamal, AFP/Getty ImagesHaitian voodoo followers participate in a voodoo ceremony in Souvenance, a suburb of Gonaives, 171km north of Port-au-Prince, on April 16, 2017. Haitian voodoo followers arrived in Souvenance to take part in the voodoo ceremonies held during Easter weekend.
Sergei Grits, The Associated PressCatholic devotees attend Easter Sunday rites in the town of Novogrudok, 150 kilometers (93 miles) west of the capital Minsk, Belarus, on Sunday, April 16, 2017. Easter Sunday is celebrated to mark the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Kevin Frayer, Getty ImagesChinese Catholics hold candles at a mass on Holy Saturday during Easter celebrations at the government sanctioned West Beijing Catholic Church on April 15, 2017 in Beijing, China. China, an officially atheist country, places a number of restrictions on Christians, allowing legal practice of the faith only at state-approved churches. The policy has driven an increasing number of Christians and Christian converts 'underground' to congregations in private homes and other venues. While the size of the religious community is difficult to measure, studies estimate there are more than 80 million Christians inside China; some studies support the possibility it could become the most Christian nation in the world in the coming years. Officially there have been no relations between China and the Vatican since the country's modern founding in 1949 though in recent years there have been signs of warming relations between Chinese president Xi Jinping and Pope Francis that could possibly allow greater religious freedom in the future. At present, the split means approved Chinese Christians worship within a state-sanctioned Church known as the Patriotic Association which regards the Communist Party as its leader, not the Pope in Rome.
Valerie Gache, AFP/Getty ImagesFireworks explode over the Temple of Appolon in the villge of Ancient Corinth during the traditional celebrations of the Orthodox Easter early on April 16, 2017.
Christophe Simon, AFP/Getty ImagesA Syriac Christian militiaman stands guard during an easter ceremony at the Saint John's church in the nearly deserted predominantly Christian Iraqi town of Qaraqosh (also known as Hamdaniya), some 30 kilometres from Mosul, on April 16, 2017. Qaraqosh was retaken by Iraqi forces late in 2016 as part of a massive offensive to wrest back the nearby city of Mosul from Islamic State (IS) group fighters but it remains almost completely deserted.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostThousands of people listen to the service and wait for the sun to rise during the 70th annual Easter sunrise service at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on April 16, 2017 in Morrison. The event is sponsored by The Colorado Council of Churches. Because the event was cancelled last year due to weather it was standing room only at the traditional Easter service with almost 10,000 people turning out for the popular event.
In this April 15, 2017 photo spectators watch the traditional Easter bonfire in Wartjenstedt, Germany.
Carl Court, Getty ImagesA banner bearing a crucifix is hung on the side of a guard box at a checkpoint on a road leading into the nearly deserted predominantly Christian Iraqi town of Qaraqosh on April 16, 2017 near Mosul, Iraq. Qaraqosh was retaken by Iraqi forces in 2016 during the offensive to capture the nearby city of Mosul from Islamic State but it remains almost completely deserted.
Delil Souleiman, AFP/Getty ImagesA Syriac Christian girl poses for a photo outside the Church of Saint Ephrem in the northeastern Syrian city of Qamishli as people gather for a mass marking Easter Sunday on April 16, 2017.
Faithful stand in the falling rain to pray during an Easter Sunday Mass at a remote chapel in the village of Glupianka, Poland, Sunday, April 16, 2017. The temperature has fallen to around 4 degree Celsius and rain has hit the area during Easter celebrations. (AP Photo/Alik Keplicz)
Chris J Ratcliffe, Getty ImagesRevellers travel on a escalator on the London underground at Waterloo station during the Christathon X pub crawl on April 16, 2017 in London, England. The Christathon pub crawl is celebrating its tenth year this year and sees participants dress as Jesus and visit pubs on Easter Sunday around the British capital whilst donating collections from those involved to the charity Save the Children.
Sorbs ride decorated horses during the traditional Easter procession in Ralbitz, east of Dresden, Germany, Sunday, April 16, 2017. Sorbian men wearing black coats and top hats, sing holy songs on horseback and preach the message of Jesus' resurrection.The Sorbs are a Slavic, Catholic minority group in eastern Germany.
Orlando Sierra, AFP/Getty ImagesA woman listens the homily of Cardinal Oscar Andres Rodriguez during a mass on Easter Sunday in Tegucigalpa on April 16, 2017.
Kevin Frayer, Getty ImagesChinese Catholic Bishop Zhang Hong, left, pours holy water on the head of a worshipper during a special baptism ceremony at a mass on Holy Saturday during Easter celebrations at the government sanctioned West Beijing Catholic Church on April 15, 2017 in Beijing, China. China, an officially atheist country, places a number of restrictions on Christians, allowing legal practice of the faith only at state-approved churches. The policy has driven an increasing number of Christians and Christian converts 'underground' to congregations in private homes and other venues. While the size of the religious community is difficult to measure, studies estimate there are more than 80 million Christians inside China; some studies support the possibility it could become the most Christian nation in the world in the coming years. Officially there have been no relations between China and the Vatican since the country's modern founding in 1949 though in recent years there have been signs of warming relations between Chinese president Xi Jinping and Pope Francis that could possibly allow greater religious freedom in the future. At present, the split means approved Chinese Christians worship within a state-sanctioned Church known as the Patriotic Association which regards the Communist Party as its leader, not the Pope in Rome. *** BESTPIX ***
Amir Makar, AFP/Getty ImagesCypriot Greek Orthodox acolytes hold candles during the midnight Easter Saturday vigil at Faneromeni church in the old city of the capital Nicosia on April 15, 2017.
Sunshine Ledo, 6, puts a plastic egg she found in her Easter bag during an Easter Egg hunt at The University Club in St. Paul on Sunday, April 15, 2017. Sunshine and her cousins hunted eggs at this year's annual Easter brunch at the University Club which offers an egg hunt and a petting zoo where local and neighborhood children enjoyed spring weather. The petting zoo was complete with a donkey, goats, rabbits and baby chicks. (Pioneer Press/ Ginger Pinson
"He peeped, said, Olivia Struve, 6, who holds a chick at the petting zoo at the University Club of St. Paul's Easter egg hunt and a petting zoo event for members and neighborhood children on Sunday, April 16, 2017. The petting zoo included a donkey, goats, rabbits and baby chicks. Pioneer Press/ Ginger Pinson
Bebeto Matthews, The Associated PressEduardo Escobar, of the Queens borough of New York, attracts attention with a homemade bonnet that he calls "my Easter enchanted," during the annual Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival, Sunday April 16, 2017, in New York.
Bebeto Matthews, The Associated PressPatricia "Purely" Fox, of Manhattan, shows off her Easter bonnet that she said took 20 hours to make at the annual Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival, Sunday, April 16, 2017, in New York.
Christophe Simon, AFP/Getty ImagesAn Iraqi Syriac Christian girl smiles during an easter procession at the Saint John's church in the nearly deserted predominantly Christian Iraqi town of Qaraqosh (also known as Hamdaniya), some 30 kilometres from Mosul, on April 16, 2017. Qaraqosh was retaken by Iraqi forces late in 2016 as part of a massive offensive to wrest back the nearby city of Mosul from Islamic State (IS) group fighters but it remains almost completely deserted.
Amel Emric, The Associated PressIn this photo taken on Thursday April 13, 2017, Miroslava Ivicevic decorates eggs for Easter using organic bee wax and natural colors in central Bosnian town of Kresevo, 60 kms south of Sarajevo. Many Catholic Christians in Bosnia decorate eggs for Easter using natural materials, including beeswax, onion skins and small leaves and flowers.
The eye of a chicken, photographed in a park in Frankfurt, Germany, Sunday, April 16, 2017.
Jonathan Brady, WPA Pool/Getty ImagesQueen Elizabeth II (3rd, R) and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (R) leave after attending the Easter Sunday service at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on April 16, 2017 in Windsor, England.
Gregorio Borgia, The Associated PressPope Francis, left, waves as he is driven through the crowd after celebrating Easter Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, April 16, 2017.
Franco Origlia, Getty ImagesPope Francis leaves St. Peter's Square at the end of the Easter Mass on April 16, 2017 in Vatican City, Vatican. The pontiff is due to visit Cairo on April 28th and 29th after being invited by Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros II.
Sabah Arar, AFP/Getty ImagesAn Iraqi policeman stands guard as a Christian nun arrives for the Easter service at the Virgin Mary church in Baghdad's Karrada neighbourhood on April 16, 2017.
Andrew Medichini, The Associated PressTwo cardinals stand under an umbrella as Pope Francis celebrates Easter Mass, in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, April 16, 2017.
Mark Ralston, AFP/Getty ImagesVolunteers from the Midnight Mission help feed the homeless and poor during its annual Easter/Passover celebration at Skid Row in Los Angeles, California on April 16, 2017.
Rob Kim, Getty Images for Saks Fifth AvenueSaks Fifth Avenue and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS host Broadway performances during Easter Day Parade. Actress Sara Shepard of Beautiful - The Carole King Musical performs outside of Saks Fifth Avenue.
The Pieta statue depicting the Virgin Mary holding the body of Jesus Christ is illuminated by the rising sun before the start of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church's annual sunrise Easter service at Our Lady of Calvary cemetery in Pottsville, Pa., Sunday, April 16, 2017.
President Donald Trump, accompanied by first lady Melania Trump waves to onlookers as he enters Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach, Fla., for an Easter Service, Sunday, April 16, 2017.
K.M. Chaudary, The Associated PressA Pakistani Christian woman prays during an Easter service at Catholic Sacred Heart Cathedral chruch in Lahore, Pakistan, Sunday, April 16, 2017. Christians across the world are celebrating Easter, commemorating the day followers believe Jesus was resurrected in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago.
Carolyn Wallace, of Berea, Ky., guides her aunt Isabelle Plaster, of Lexington, Mass., along the brick pathway after the Easter sunrise service of the Moravian Church, Sunday, April 16, 2017, at Old Salem in Winston-Salem, N.C.
Boys from the Hungarian folk dance ensemble Lajta play a Hungarian traditional ballgame called meta as part of their performance to show visitors old ways of life during Easter Sunday festivities in Skanzen open-air museum of ethnography in Szentendre, 10 kms north of Budapest, Hungary, Sunday April 16, 2017.
Bebeto Matthews, The Associated PressPatricia "Purely" Fox, of Manhattan, shows of her Easter bonnet, that she said took 20 hours to make, at the Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival, Sunday April 16, 2017, in New York.
Leon Neal, Getty ImagesSupporters of both the Aghios Marko Church and Panaghia Erithiani Church march through the town, hours before the annual Rocket War, known locally as the "Rouketopolemos", on April 15, 2017 in Chios, Greece. The event takes place at Easter in the town of Vrontados, where the congregations from two rival churches launch a "rocket war", attempting to hit the bell tower of the opposing church with tens of thousands of home-made rockets. Homes in the area are forced to erect temporary protective fencing to prevent damage to their property while tourists come from all over the world to watch the spectacle.
Iraqi Syriac Christian priest Charbel Aesso gives the Eucharist during an easter service at Saint John's Church in the nearly deserted predominantly Christian Iraqi town of Qaraqosh on April 16, 2017 near Mosul, Iraq. Qaraqosh was retaken by Iraqi forces in 2016 during the offensive to capture the nearby city of Mosul from Islamic State but it remains almost completely deserted. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)
Amir Makar, AFP/Getty ImagesCypriot youths watch a bonfire where an effigy of Judas Iscariot was burned, on Easter Saturday after midnight in the old city of the capital Nicosia on April 16, 2017.
Louisa Gouliamaki, AFP/Getty ImagesLocals people grill lambs in the town of Livadia, north of Athens, during a traditional celebrations of the Orthodox Easter on April 16, 2017.
Karen Minasyan, AFP/Getty ImagesAn Armenian Orthodox beliver lights a candle during the celebration of Orthodox Easter at the residence of Apostolic Church leader, outside Yerevan on April 16, 2017.
Gali Tibbon, AFP/Getty ImagesGreek Orthodox clergymen march during the Easter Sunday procession in Jerusalems Old City on April 16, 2017. Thousands of Christians marked Jesus's resurrection on Easter Sunday at the Jerusalem site where they believe the miracle occurred, with some prostrating themselves over his tomb and leaving in tears.
Best1 Reverend Mark Twietmeyer gives the sermon during the Easter Sunrise Service at Boulder Reservoir Sunday morning. "I'm here because I still struggle with all those things that Jesus has stood for. I'm here because even though I knew that he sun was going to rise this morning I had to come and see it for myself," Twietmeyer said during his sermon. More than 200 were in attendance for the service which was hosted by Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church and Trinity Lutheran Church, both of Boulder. To view more photos and a video visit dailycamera.com. Lewis Geyer/Staff Photographer April 16, 2017
Reverend Mark Twietmeyer leads the Easter Sunrise Service at Boulder Reservoir Sunday morning. "I'm here because I still struggle with all those things that Jesus has stood for. I'm here because even though I knew that he sun was going to rise this morning I had to come and see it for myself," said Twietmeyer during his sermon. More than 200 were in attendance for the service which was hosted by Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church and Trinity Lutheran Church, both of Boulder. To view more photos and a video visit dailycamera.com. Lewis Geyer/Staff Photographer April 16, 2017
Bebeto Matthews, The Associated PressTanya Jackson, from South Africa, shows-off her hat on the steps of St. Patrick's Cathedral during the Easter parade, Sunday April 16, 2017, in New York.
Renata Brito, The Associated PressA woman poses for a photo next to a wax statue of Pope Francis inside the Cathedral of Saint Peter of Alcantara after Easter mass, in Petropolis, Brazil, Sunday, April 16, 2017. The wax statue was made in London and imported to Brazil. It will be exhibited at the Petropolis Wax Museum starting Monday.
Chris J Ratcliffe, Getty ImagesLuigi Pertrilli (R) shares a joke with a woman dressed like the Virgin Mary in the Christopher Inn during the Christathon X pub crawl on April 16, 2017 in London, England. The Christathon pub crawl is celebrating its tenth year this year and sees participants dress as Jesus and visit pubs on Easter Sunday around the British capital whilst donating collections from those involved to the charity Save the Children. *** BESTPIX ***
Chris J Ratcliffe, Getty ImagesLuigi Pertrilli drinks a pint of beer whilst dressed like Jesus in The Trinity pub during the Christathon X pub crawl on April 16, 2017 in London, England. The Christathon pub crawl is celebrating its tenth year this year and sees participants dress as Jesus and visit pubs on Easter Sunday around the British capital whilst donating collections from those involved to the charity Save the Children.
Filippo Monteforte, AFP/Getty ImagesA nun stands on a terrace overlooking St Peter's square before the Easter Sunday mass on April 16, 2017 in Vatican. Christians around the world are marking the Holy Week, commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, leading up to his resurrection on Easter.
Kevin Frayer, Getty Images
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A newly baptized Chinese Catholic worshipper prays during a special ceremony at a mass on Holy Saturday during Easter celebrations at the government sanctioned West Beijing Catholic Church on April 15, 2017 in Beijing, China. China, an officially atheist country, places a number of restrictions on Christians, allowing legal practice of the faith only at state-approved churches. The policy has driven an increasing number of Christians and Christian converts 'underground' to congregations in private homes and other venues. While the size of the religious community is difficult to measure, studies estimate there are more than 80 million Christians inside China; some studies support the possibility it could become the most Christian nation in the world in the coming years. Officially there have been no relations between China and the Vatican since the country's modern founding in 1949 though in recent years there have been signs of warming relations between Chinese president Xi Jinping and Pope Francis that could possibly allow greater religious freedom in the future. At present, the split means approved Chinese Christians worship within a state-sanctioned Church known as the Patriotic Association which regards the Communist Party as its leader, not the Pope in Rome.
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By The Denver Post | newsroom@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED:
Getting your player ready...
Christians around the world celebrated Easter on Sunday, as Pope Francis and others expressed concern over embattled communities in the cradle of the faith following church bombings in Egypt and attacks on civilians in Syria’s civil war.
At St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, Francis lamented the horrors generated by war and hatred, delivering an Easter Sunday message that decried the “latest vile” attack in Syria — a bombing Saturday that killed more than a hundred people.
Thousands of worshippers flocked to Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built on the site where Christians believe Jesus was crucified and resurrected.
This year, the Orthodox churches celebrate Easter on the same Sunday that Roman Catholics and Protestants mark the holy festival. The Western Christian church follows the Gregorian calendar, while the Eastern Orthodox uses the older Julian calendar, so the two Easters are often weeks apart.
In Egypt, Coptic Christians marked a somber Easter a week after twin bombings by the Islamic State group killed dozens of worshippers at churches in two separate cities.
In New York, a few thousand people packed St. Patrick’s Cathedral, where Cardinal Timothy Dolan told worshippers to remember that even though things may seem bleak at times, Easter brings the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, showing how “God has the last word.”