Thousands of Christians from across the world crowded the stone alleyways of Jerusalem's Old City today, retracing the route Jesus took to his crucifixion.
Some Good Friday pilgrims carried large wooden crosses as they walked down the Via Dolorosa, or Way of Sorrows, stopping at 14 stations that commemorate events that befell Jesus as he was led to his death.
Many prayed in the ancient Church of the Holy Sepulchre, traditionally the site of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection.
Some chanted hymns, while others prostrated themselves on a smooth stone slab marking the spot where Jesus' body was placed after being removed from the cross.
Police said thousands of security personnel were deployed around Jerusalem because of Good Friday and the Jewish festival of Purim, which also falls this weekend.
Jews celebrate Purim by dressing up in costumes and reading the Book of Esther, which recounts a victory by the Jews over their enemies in ancient Persia.
Police are also on high alert because of fears of a revenge attack for the February assassination of a high-ranking commander in the Lebanese militant group Hizbullah. Israel denied involvement, but Hizbullah threatened to avenge his death with an attack on Israeli targets.