Middle Eastern Christians celebrate Easter

Christians celebrate Easter Sunday Mass in Bethlehem.

This ceremony, which drew pilgrims from around the world, marks the day Jesus Christ is believed to have been resurrected from the dead.

It was held in the Church of the Nativity - revered as Jesus' birthplace.

Not far away, another mass was held in Jerusalem's Church of the Sepulchre - one of the holiest sites in Christendom.

It included a heavy security presence as Israeli officials feared the potential for violence.

While people here we celebrating the end of the holy week, Orthodox Christians - who follow a different religious calendar - marked the beginning of theirs.

Masses were held in Gaza and the West Bank marking Palm Sunday ahead of the Orthodox Easter, which takes place next week.

Andrew Raven, Reuters.