In Jerusalem, Christian pilgrims filled the cobblestone alleyways of the walled Old City to commemorate Jesus' crucifixion there two millennia ago. Thousands of international visitors and local Christians retraced Christ's last steps down the Via Dolorosa, or "Way of Suffering." The route ends at the ancient Church of the Holy Sepulcher, revered as the site of Jesus' crucifixion, burial, and resurrection on Easter.
VATICAN CITY - In an unprecedented move, Pope Benedict XVI held a televised question-and-answer session to mark Good Friday, fielding queries from as far away as Japan, Iraq, and the Ivory Coast on topics as wide-ranging as death, violence, intimidation, and suffering.Benedict told a Japanese girl frightened by the earthquake and tsunami in her homeland that her suffering was not in vain, and assured a Muslim woman in violence-wracked Ivory Coast of the Vatican's peace efforts there.  read more »

Global council of Indian Christians ( GCIC)has called for prayer for the thousands of persecuted Christians all around the world during this Easter celebrations.
our Lord and Saviour himself has set a unique example for us, praying as he did, for the very people who tortured and finally crucified him, from the very cross on which he was dying. His words, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do,” have been echoing from Mount Calvary, ever since during the last 2000 years, melting to tears even the hardest of hearts around the world

The organization stated: “As we prepare to mark the death and resurrection of Jesus, we invite you to remember Christians suffering in His name this Easter. We also want to thank you for your persistent prayers on behalf of persecuted Christians worldwide – and to remind you that 'the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective' (James 15:16).”It continued: “We have no doubt that your prayers have helped to bring breakthrough and ease suffering in many seemingly impossible situations.”
Many situations around the world that require ongoing prayer. Many Christian prisoners of faith remain in detention despite fervent prayer and advocacy.  read more »

Various Christian bodies blocked traffic on the CMCH Road this afternoon protesting against the move of PU, GNDU and Punjabi University for holding exams on April 22, on which Good Friday falls. Not only this, even on April 24, which happens to be a Sunday, exams have been scheduled. Easter falls on this day. Augustine Das, one of the leader leading the protest dharna said, “If the exams are not postponed, we will start dharnas in Gurdaspur, Ferzepur, Jalandhar etc areas where Christians live in large numbers. Not only this, our Christian institutes will also not be closed on any other festival except for Christmas, Easter and Christmas. We always understand the importance of all festivals but our sentiments are continuously being hurt. So we have been forced to take this decision.”  read more »