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Photos: Easter around the world

Updated 7:40 PM ET, Sun March 31, 2013

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The Rev. Sebastian Rossouw O.M.I. sprinkes holy water on congregants during Easter services at Regina Mundi Catholic Church in the Soweto area of Johannesburg, South Africa, on Sunday, March 31.
Photos: Photos: Easter around the world
Easter around the world – The Rev. Sebastian Rossouw O.M.I. sprinkes holy water on congregants during Easter services at Regina Mundi Catholic Church in the Soweto area of Johannesburg, South Africa, on Sunday, March 31.
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President Barack Obama, daughter Sasha, first lady Michelle Obama and daughter Malia walk across Lafayette Park from the White House on their way to Easter services at St. John's Episcopal Church on Sunday in Washington on March 31.
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Easter around the world – President Barack Obama, daughter Sasha, first lady Michelle Obama and daughter Malia walk across Lafayette Park from the White House on their way to Easter services at St. John's Episcopal Church on Sunday in Washington on March 31.
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Slavic Sorb men ride on horses during a traditional Easter procession in Germany on March 31. Easter is a particularly important time of the year for Sorbs, a Slavic minority in eastern Germany.
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Easter around the world – Slavic Sorb men ride on horses during a traditional Easter procession in Germany on March 31. Easter is a particularly important time of the year for Sorbs, a Slavic minority in eastern Germany.
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Revelers participate in the annual Easter Day procession on Fifth Avenue in New York City on March 31. The annual festivities attract hundreds of New Yorkers gathering in front of St. Patrick's Cathedral wearing colorful hats and costumes celebrating one of the holiest days in the Christian calendar.
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Easter around the world – Revelers participate in the annual Easter Day procession on Fifth Avenue in New York City on March 31. The annual festivities attract hundreds of New Yorkers gathering in front of St. Patrick's Cathedral wearing colorful hats and costumes celebrating one of the holiest days in the Christian calendar.
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Queen Elizabeth II receives flowers from local children as she leaves the Easter Day service at St. George's Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle on March 31.
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Easter around the world – Queen Elizabeth II receives flowers from local children as she leaves the Easter Day service at St. George's Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle on March 31.
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Congregants pray during Easter services at Regina Mundi Catholic Church in the Soweto area of Johannesburg, South Africa, on March 31.
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Easter around the world – Congregants pray during Easter services at Regina Mundi Catholic Church in the Soweto area of Johannesburg, South Africa, on March 31.
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Revelers participate in the annual Easter Day procession in New York City on March 31.
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Easter around the world – Revelers participate in the annual Easter Day procession in New York City on March 31.
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Catholic faithful participate in the Easter Sunday procession in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, on March 31.
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Easter around the world – Catholic faithful participate in the Easter Sunday procession in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, on March 31.
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Decorative painted Easter eggs are displayed at a church in Dimapur, India, on March 31. Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ with vigils, performances and gifts such as Easter eggs.
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Easter around the world – Decorative painted Easter eggs are displayed at a church in Dimapur, India, on March 31. Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ with vigils, performances and gifts such as Easter eggs.
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People stand by an Easter fire on Saturday, March 30, in Hellwege, Germany.
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Easter around the world – People stand by an Easter fire on Saturday, March 30, in Hellwege, Germany.
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A child holds a candle during an Easter service at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Beijing on Saturday.
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Easter around the world – A child holds a candle during an Easter service at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Beijing on Saturday.
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Chinese Catholics hold candles as they pray at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Beijing on Saturday.
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Easter around the world – Chinese Catholics hold candles as they pray at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Beijing on Saturday.
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Pilgrims walk with crosses on the final leg of the Northern Cross pilgrimage to Holy Island in Berwick-upon-Tweed, England, on Friday, March 29. More than 50 people, young and old, celebrated Easter by crossing the tidal causeway during the annual Christian pilgrimage.
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Easter around the world – Pilgrims walk with crosses on the final leg of the Northern Cross pilgrimage to Holy Island in Berwick-upon-Tweed, England, on Friday, March 29. More than 50 people, young and old, celebrated Easter by crossing the tidal causeway during the annual Christian pilgrimage.
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A penitent whips himself during the Santa Vera Cruz brotherhood procession for Holy Week in San Vicente de la Sonsierra, northern Spain, on Friday.
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Easter around the world – A penitent whips himself during the Santa Vera Cruz brotherhood procession for Holy Week in San Vicente de la Sonsierra, northern Spain, on Friday.
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Actors participate in a performance of the passion of Jesus in Trafalgar Square in central London on Friday.
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Easter around the world – Actors participate in a performance of the passion of Jesus in Trafalgar Square in central London on Friday.
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An actor playing Jesus carries a cross during the performance in Trafalgar Square in London on Friday.
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Easter around the world – An actor playing Jesus carries a cross during the performance in Trafalgar Square in London on Friday.
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Christian worshippers carry a large wooden cross at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre during the Good Friday procession in Jerusalem's Old City.
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Easter around the world – Christian worshippers carry a large wooden cross at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre during the Good Friday procession in Jerusalem's Old City.
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A Christian worshipper prays at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem on Friday.
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Easter around the world – A Christian worshipper prays at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem on Friday.
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An American pilgrim from the Hope of Glory order re-enacts the passion of Christ during the Good Friday procession along the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem.
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Easter around the world – An American pilgrim from the Hope of Glory order re-enacts the passion of Christ during the Good Friday procession along the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem.
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A Christian devotee touches a statue of Christ during a Good Friday service at Saint Francis Church in Lahore, Pakistan, on Friday.
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Easter around the world – A Christian devotee touches a statue of Christ during a Good Friday service at Saint Francis Church in Lahore, Pakistan, on Friday.
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Indonesian Christian devotees take part in a procession re-enacting the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on Friday in the town of Magelang on the island of Java.
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Easter around the world – Indonesian Christian devotees take part in a procession re-enacting the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on Friday in the town of Magelang on the island of Java.
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Penitents carry a Christ statue during a procession on the island of Procida off the coast of Italy on Friday.
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Easter around the world – Penitents carry a Christ statue during a procession on the island of Procida off the coast of Italy on Friday.
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Believers gather around the Macarena Virgin during a procession in Seville, Spain, on Friday.
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Easter around the world – Believers gather around the Macarena Virgin during a procession in Seville, Spain, on Friday.
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Christians pray in front of a statue of Jesus Christ at a church in Kolkata, India, on Friday.
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Easter around the world – Christians pray in front of a statue of Jesus Christ at a church in Kolkata, India, on Friday.
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Darlene Eddy uses a brush to remove chocolate shavings from an Easter bunny in her store, Amazing Chocolates, on Thursday, March 28, in Hollywood, Florida.
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Easter around the world – Darlene Eddy uses a brush to remove chocolate shavings from an Easter bunny in her store, Amazing Chocolates, on Thursday, March 28, in Hollywood, Florida.
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A 12-foot Easter Bunny topiary stands among white Easter lilies in New York's Rockefeller Center on Thursday.
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Easter around the world – A 12-foot Easter Bunny topiary stands among white Easter lilies in New York's Rockefeller Center on Thursday.
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Head chocolatier Chika Watanabe decorates a limited edition Easter egg in the Melt chocolate shop in London on Thursday.
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Easter around the world – Head chocolatier Chika Watanabe decorates a limited edition Easter egg in the Melt chocolate shop in London on Thursday.
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