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Easter celebrations began at dawn, as thousands of
Christian worshippers converged on Jerusalem's holy places.
Pilgrims from around the
world have gathered for an Easter sunrise service here at the Garden tomb
in Jerusalem. They are singing hymns of the resurrection in a stunning
atmosphere, the garden is said to resemble the place where Jesus was
buried. Facing the empty tomb, worshippers declared, "The Lord is not
here, he is risen!"
Easter mass was celebrated at the ancient Church of the Holy Sepulcher
in Jerusalem's walled Old City.
Priests and monks in white robes chanted the liturgy, as fragrant incense rose above the
tomb where Christians believe Jesus rose from the dead.
It was the best turnout of pilgrims in years, a tangible result of the
mideast cease-fire.
Dave Moody came from the Midwestern U.S. state of Illinois: "Where
we've been, the people have been incredibly friendly, both Palestinian and
Israeli, and I haven't experienced any fear."
Kathy Bridges of the U.S. state of Kansas said it was an opportune time for a pilgrimage.
"We felt comfortable with what existed here, as far as the safety of
the Israeli army, the peace conditions. We feel that they're working
towards a peace," said Ms. Bridges, and she was glad she came.
"I am thrilled, I am absolutely thrilled, it's a wonderful experience,"
she added.
Ms. Bridges said walking in the footsteps of Jesus renewed her faith.
"You can actually see the places where he walked, and understand the
hills, the valleys, the locations, where they were [in relation] to each
other, and it makes the whole Bible come alive," she said.
It was a peaceful Easter that gave a boost to Israel's battered tourism
industry, and no one was happier than cash-strapped Palestinian
shopkeepers in Jerusalem and Bethlehem. | 
