JERUSALEM, April 22, 2011 (WAFA) – Thousands of Christians from all over the world converged on Jerusalem's Old City Friday to celebrate Easter's Good Friday.

Pilgrims arrived in the thousands since the early hours of the day to the various stations Jesus Christ had walked 2011 years ago on his way to crucifixion at what is now known as the Holy Sepulcher.

Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal led the early morning prayers at the Holy Sepulcher along with several hundreds of the church followers.

The Orthodox Church prayers came later and the main procession of the Good Friday had started at noon, where pilgrims follow the footsteps of Christ's journey from the Mount of Olives, outside the Old City Wall, to the Holy Sepulcher.

The Catholic and Orthodox churches celebrated Easter at the same time this year, as was also the case last year, because both years were considered leap years. Normally, there is a couple of weeks difference between the times the two churches celebrate Easter.

Pilgrims carried 2-meter high wooden crosses as they walked and prayed at each of the stations lining Via Dolorosa from Lions Gate to the east of the Old City until the Holy Sepulcher.

M.A.