Church services and gatherings have been held across the country to mark Easter Sunday with sentiments of hope, family and faith.
For many Australians, it's the first Easter in several years without COVID restrictions.
In Darwin, Bishop Charles Gauci delivered his Easter message to the crowd of more than 200 people at the Sunday mass at St Mary's Star of the Sea Cathedral where two children were baptised.
The Catholic Bishop for the Northern Territory said his Easter message was "one of hope", making reference to a recent spike in crime and social unrest across the territory.
"Whatever circumstance we find ourselves in as individuals and as a community, there is always hope," he said.
"We know there have been issues in our community, but we cannot solve them by more violence or intolerance.
"We can only do it by looking at the bigger issues and working together… for the common good."
On a sunny day in the Sunshine State, hundreds of Christians marked Easter at mass services in Brisbane on Sunday morning, hearing messages of hope, love and reconciliation.
Anglican worshippers were joined by Queensland Governor Jeannette Young at the Easter Mass at St John's Cathedral, who also performed the first reading of the service.
Preacher Dr Peter Catt said Easter was a time where faith is passed on from each generation to the next.
"Each generation shapes it in a way to bring life and hope, and meaning, to the next generation," he told the ABC.
Meanwhile, it was standing room only for those of Catholic faith at the Cathedral of St Stephen in the Brisbane CBD.
Archbishop of Brisbane Mark Coleridge delivered a message of hope at the Solemn Mass.
"What we celebrate today is the birth of a hope beyond all that seems hopeless, and hope that's not whistling in the dark or wishful thinking but a hope that's grounded upon what we believe is an extraordinary event, Jesus being raised from the dead," he said.
"There is a lot of hopelessness around at the moment, a lot of things that are deeply disheartening both in Australia and around the world, but that's not the end of the story."
In Perth, Catholic Archbishop Timothy Costelloe has urged people to reach out to those in need during trying times.
"I'm conscious that for a lot of people, it can be a time of real discouragement, or disillusionment, even for some, despair," he said.
"People struggling with the rising interest rates, with the cost of living pressures, housing difficulties.
"I'm hoping that this year, because of the difficulties so many people are facing, a lot of people … will see the need to reach out to those in need and offer them a helping hand.
"Even in the worst of times, there is hope. We can find hope and courage even in the worst of times."
Catholic Archbishop of Adelaide Patrick O'Regan said crowds at St Francis Xavier Cathedral in the CBD had been up this year throughout the Easter weekend.
"COVID disappearing a little bit has given people a bit of a chance to realign and to look at what's important and get back in the groove a bit as well," he said.
Archbishop O'Regan said his Easter message this year was simple: "It's one word: Forgiveness. Which might sound a little bit funny at Easter, but I think it's one of the fruits of what Easter's all about.
He said today was the biggest day on the church's calendar.
"It's like the Grand Final, if you like," he said.
"Everything leads up to this and we've been preparing for 40 days of Lent."
While rain and cold winds battered the Melbourne CBD, spirits did not seem dampened at St Paul's Cathedral where worshippers from around the country attended Easter Mass.
Another pair of ladies who attended the service had been friends since Sunday School, and were celebrating Easter together.
"I haven't been to the cathedral before, but for me it's number one. I always go on Easter Sunday," she said.
When asked what they were most grateful for, they said they were most thankful that they were both in Melbourne to celebrate together.
True to its name, the atmosphere was festive at Melbourne's Festival Hall where members of the Hillsong Church gathered to celebrate Easter.
Pastor Rose Medwin said the weekend was especially powerful for people curious about the Christian faith.
"Many Christians would say Easter is the most important day for us to celebrate," she said.
"People that have faith, they want to come and celebrate. But they bring with them their family and friends, and maybe people who want to check out Christianity, it's a weekend for them to come.
"Churches are a place where you can rebuild community, meet community."
In Sydney's west, around 700 worshippers gathered for Sunday Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral in Parramatta this morning.
In his homily, Catholic Bishop of Parramatta Vincent Long OFM Conv told the congregation to recognise the challenges faced by marginalised groups.
"Being in Galilee can only mean to be immersed with the coalface realities of today — the plight of the homeless, refugees, people with their diverse gender identities and other vulnerable groups in our community," he said.
"With the referendum on the Voice, we have an opportunity to reflect on how we can close the gap, learn the ancient wisdom of our First Nations people and build a more hopeful future together for all."
Leaders share Easter messages
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese took to social media to wish Australians a "safe, happy and holy Easter".
"Our nation is home to Christians drawn from all parts of the world and from all traditions," he said.
"The variety of services, vigils and ceremonies across the Easter period speaks for our nation's diversity."
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Federal Opposition leader Peter Dutton also shared a message on reflecting on the meaning of the holiday.
"The messages of Easter — atonement, forgiveness, love and hope — have meaning for all of us," he said.
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2023-04-09 03:45:24Z
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