Christians are taking part in Holy Week activities in preparation for Easter holiday April 8, which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Meanwhile, Jews mark Passover, which commemorates the Israelites being freed from slavery in Egypt.
Christians Observe Holy Week, Jews Prepare for Passover
Worshippers surround the icon of the Santisimo Cristo del Salvador brotherhood during a Holy Week procession in Valencia, Spain. (AP)
A Pakistani Christian woman prays during a Mass on Good Friday in a church in Islamabad, Pakistan. (AP)
A devotee enacts the crucifixion of Jesus Christ to mark Good Friday in Gauhati, India. (AP)
Pakistani Christians carry a cross during a Mass on Good Friday in Quetta, Pakistan. (AP)
Good Friday Passion Mass is celebrated in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. (AP)
Pope Benedict kisses the cross as he leads the Good Friday Passion Mass in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. (Reuters)
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men burn leavened items in a final preparation before Passover in the town of Bnei Brak near Tel Aviv. (AP)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews watch others collecting spring water during the traditional Jewish rite of "Mayim Shelanu" in the Jerusalem mountains. The water is used to prepare matzoh, traditional unleavened bread eaten during Passover. (Reuters)
An ultra-Orthodox Jew pours water collected from a spring during the traditional Jewish rite of "Mayim Shelanu" in the Jerusalem mountains. The water is used to prepare matzoh. (Reuters)
Orthodox Jews prepare special matzoh at a bakery before the Passover holiday in the port city of Ashdod, Israel. (AP)
An ultra-Orthodox Jewish youth waits near food which was donated for Passover in Jerusalem. (Reuters)