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Stunning Photos Of Christians Observing Holy Week Around The World

LOOK: Holy Week Observed Around The World
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The Christian Holy Week begins every year on Palm Sunday and culminates with Easter the following Sunday. It is a time of worship and reflection on Jesus' journey into Jerusalem, through the Last Supper, his crucifixion and his ultimate resurrection as portrayed in the Christian gospels.

Observances for Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter follow certain customs but can vary by region and culture.

Here is a look at some of the diverse 2014 Holy Week observances around the world:


Pope Francis asperges holy water as he celebrates a Palm Sunday mass in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, April 13, 2014. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)


An Indian Christian girl holds a cross made of blessed palm during a Palm Sunday mass at a church in Bhubaneswar, India, Sunday, April 13, 2014. (AP Photo/Biswaranjan Rout)


An Ethiopian Orthodox Christian priest holds a holy book for women to kiss at Deir El Sultan in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, traditionally believed by many to be the site of the crucifixion and burial of Jesus Christ, during Palm Sunday services in Jerusalem's Old city, Sunday, April 13, 2014. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)


Franciscan Friars take part in the traditional Palm Sunday procession from Mt. Olives to Jerusalem's Old City on April 13, 2014. (Gali Tibbon/AFP/Getty Images)


Egyptians celebrate Palm Sunday during a service in the Samaan el-Kharaz Church in the Mokattam district of Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, April 13, 2014. (AP Photo/Roger Anis, El Shorouk)


Penitents take part in the "Procesion del Silencio" by the "Cristo de las Injurias" brotherhood, during the Holy Week in Zamora, Spain, Wednesday, April 16, 2014. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)


A Christian pilgrim kisses a sacred column at the entrance to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City on April 17, 2014. (Gali Tibbon/AFP/Getty Images)


Hooded Filipino penitents flagellate during Maundy Thursday rituals to atone for sins on April 17, 2014, in suburban Mandaluyong, east of Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)


Penitents from 'Cristo de la Buena Muerte' or 'Good Dead Christ' brotherhood take part in a procession in Zamora, Spain, on the early hours of Tuesday, April 15, 2014. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)


A "Costalero" from "La Sangre" brotherhood takes part during a Holy Week procession in Cordoba, southern Spain, Tuesday, April 15, 2014. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)


Pope Francis greets the faithful as he arrives at the Don Gnocchi Centre for the elderly and disabled for the Maundy Thursday Mass on April 17, 2014 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images)


Pope Francis washes the foot of a man at the Don Gnocchi Foundation Center in Rome, Thursday, April 17, 2014. (AP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano)


Pope Francis washes the foot of a woman at the Don Gnocchi Foundation Center in Rome, Thursday, April 17, 2014. (AP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano)


Pope Francis kisses the foot of a person as he performs the traditional washing of the feet during a visit at a center for disabled people as part of Maundy Thursday as part of the Holy Week on April 17, 2014 in Rome. (Alberto Pizzoli/AFP/Getty Images)


A Catholic devotee nailed to a cross is hoisted by participants during a reenacment of the crucifixion of Christ on Good Friday on April 18, 2014 in San Pedro Cutud village in Pampanga province, Philippines. (Photo by Dondi Tawatao/Getty Images)


Christian Orthodox pilgrims carry wooden crosses along the Via Dolorosa (Way of Suffering) during a procession marking Good Friday on April 18, 2014 in Jerusalem's old city. (GALI TIBBON/AFP/Getty Images)


Faithful wait for the start of the Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) torchlight procession to be celebrated by Pope Francis in front of the Colosseum on Good Friday in Rome, Friday, April 18, 2014. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)


Pope Francis lays prostrate on the floor in prayer before presiding over a Good Friday Passion service, in St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, Friday, April 18, 2014. (AP Photo/Stefano Rellandini)


Christian pilgrims hold candles at the church of the Holy Sepulcher, traditionally believed to be the burial site of Jesus Christ, during the ceremony of the Holy Fire in Jerusalem's Old City, Saturday, April 19, 2014. (AP Photo/Dan Balilty)


Cardinals attend the Holy Saturday Easter vigil mass celebrated by Pope Francis at St.Peter's Basilica on April 19, 2014 in Vatican City, Vatican. (Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images)


Pope Francis holding a tall, lit, white candle, enters a darkened St. Peter's Basilica to begin the Easter vigil service, at the Vatican, Saturday, April 19, 2014. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)


Bosnian Croat women poses in traditional dress during celebration of the Easter in the village of Breske, 150 kms north of the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo, on Sunday, April 20, 2014. (AP Photo/Amel Emric)


Pope Francis drives through the crowd after celebrating an Easter Mass in St. Peter's Square, at the the Vatican, Sunday, April 20, 2014. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

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Before You Go

Orthodox Holy Week
(01 of23)
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An Orthodox Christian woman holds a cross before starting the Good Friday processions in Jerusalem's Old City, Friday, May 3, 2013. Christian followers of the Eastern Churches are marking the solemn period of Easter. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) (credit:AP)
(02 of23)
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People followers of the Greek Orthodox Church stand in front of an image of Jesus crucified during the ceremony marking the Apokathelosis, the removal of Christ's dead body from the Cross, which forms a key part of Orthodox Easter, in a ceremony at the Church of the Dormition of the Virgin in Penteli, north Athens on May 3 , 2013. Millions of Greeks flock to churches around the country this week to celebrate Easter, the country's foremost religious celebration. (ANGELOS TZORTZINIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(03 of23)
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Orthodox Christian women wait before starting the Good Friday processions in Jerusalem's Old City, Friday, May 3, 2013. Christian followers of the Eastern Churches are marking the solemn period of Easter. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) (credit:AP)
(04 of23)
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An Orthodox Christian woman inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, traditionally believed by many to be the site of the crucifixion and burial of Jesus Christ, takes part in Good Friday processions in Jerusalem's Old City, Friday, May 3, 2013. Christian followers of the Eastern Churches are marking the solemn period of Easter. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) (credit:AP)
(05 of23)
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A worshipper kisses a giant wooden cross during a Good Friday reenactment of Christ being taken down from the cross, at the Pendeli Monastery, near Athens, on Friday, May 3, 2013. Orthodox Christians around the world celebrate Easter on Sunday, May 5.(AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris) (credit:AP)
(06 of23)
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Greek Orthodox priests take part in a Good Friday reenactment of Christ being taken down from the crucifix, at the Pendeli Monastery, near Athens, on Friday, May 3, 2013. Orthodox Christians around the world celebrate Easter on Sunday, May 5.(AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris) (credit:AP)
(07 of23)
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Flower petals are strewn over a shroud containing a woodcut of Jesus Christ in a cave that represents Christ's tomb at the Pendeli Monastery, near Athens, on Friday, May 3, 2013. Orthodox Christians around the world celebrate Easter on Sunday, May 5.(AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris) (credit:AP)
(08 of23)
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Greek Orthodox priests take part in a Good Friday reenactment of Christ being taken down from the crucifix, at the Pendeli Monastery, near Athens, on Friday, May 3, 2013. Orthodox Christians around the world celebrate Easter on Sunday, May 5.(AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris) (credit:AP)
(09 of23)
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Worshippers pay homage to a giant wooden crucifix during a Good Friday reenactment of Christ being taken down from the cross, at the Pendeli Monastery, near Athens, on Friday, May 3, 2013. Orthodox Christians around the world celebrate Easter on Sunday, May 5.(AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris) (credit:AP)
(10 of23)
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A woman follower of the Greek Orthodox Church kisses the feet of an image of Jesus crucified during the ceremony marking the Apokathelosis, the removal of Christ's dead body from the Cross, which forms a key part of Orthodox Easter, in a ceremony at the Church of the Dormition of the Virgin in Penteli, north Athens on May 3 , 2013. Millions of Greeks flock to churches around the country this week to celebrate Easter, the country's foremost religious celebration. (ANGELOS TZORTZINIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(11 of23)
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Greek Orthodox followers visit a church before the the Apokathelosis, which forms a key part of Orthodox Easter, in a ceremony at the Church of the Dormition of the Virgin in Penteli, north Athens on May 3 , 2013. Millions of Greeks flock to churches around the country this week to celebrate Easter, the country's foremost religious celebration. (ANGELOS TZORTZINIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(12 of23)
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Greek Orthodox priests carry out the Apokathelosis, which forms a key part of Orthodox Easter, in a ceremony at the Church of the Dormition of the Virgin in Penteliin Penteli, north Athens on May 3 , 2013. Millions of Greeks flock to churches around the country this week to celebrate Easter, the country's foremost religious celebration. (ANGELOS TZORTZINIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(13 of23)
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Greek Orthodox priests carry out the Apokathelosis, which forms a key part of Orthodox Easter, in a ceremony at the Church of the Dormition of the Virgin in Penteliin Penteli, north Athens on May 3 , 2013. Millions of Greeks flock to churches around the country this week to celebrate Easter, the country's foremost religious celebration. (ANGELOS TZORTZINIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(14 of23)
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People followers of the Greek Orthodox Church kiss the feet of an image of Jesus crucified during the ceremony marking the Apokathelosis, the removal of Christ's dead body from the Cross, which forms a key part of Orthodox Easter, in a ceremony at the Church of the Dormition of the Virgin in Penteli, north Athens on May 3 , 2013. Millions of Greeks flock to churches around the country this week to celebrate Easter, the country's foremost religious celebration. (ANGELOS TZORTZINIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(15 of23)
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A Christian Orthodox woman holds a cross as the Patriarch of Jerusalem Theofilos III, center, not seen, leads the Washing of the Feet ceremony outside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, traditionally believed by many to be the site of the crucifixion and burial of Jesus Christ, in Jerusalem's Old City, Thursday, May 2, 2013. Orthodox Christians from around the world are in the Holy Land marking the solemn period of Easter. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit) (credit:AP)
(16 of23)
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A girl holds a plastic bag with food in a cemetery in the village of Copaciu, southern Romania, early Thursday, May 2, 2013. As part of a Holy Week tradition Romanians visit, on Maundy Thursday, the graves of their loved ones, light fires and share food with community members in memory of the departed. Orthodox worshipers celebrate Easter on May 5.(AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru, Mediafax) ROMANIA OUT (credit:AP)
(17 of23)
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An elderly woman lights a fire next to a grave in a cemetery in the village of Copaciu, southern Romania, early Thursday, May 2, 2013. As part of a Holy Week tradition Romanians visit, on Maundy Thursday, the graves of their loved ones, light fires and share food with community members in memory of the departed. Orthodox worshipers celebrate Easter on May 5.(AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru, Mediafax) (credit:AP)
(18 of23)
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A vendor arranges hand-decorated Easter eggs at the green market, in Belgrade, Serbia, on Orthodox holy Thursday, on Thursday May 2, 2013. Orthodox Serbs celebrate Easter on May 5, according to old Julian calendar. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic) (credit:AP)
(19 of23)
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A buyer selects from the pile of hand-decorated Easter eggs at the green market, in Belgrade, Serbia, on Orthodox holy Thursday, on Thursday May 2, 2013. Orthodox Serbs celebrate Easter on May 5, according to old Julian calendar.(AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic) (credit:AP)
(20 of23)
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A woman lights a candle as a man kisses an icon of Virgin Mary in a church at the start of Orthodox Holy Week, in Athens, Monday, April 29, 2013. Orthodox Christians around the world celebrate Easter on Sunday, May 5. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) (credit:AP)
(21 of23)
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A group of Christian Orthodox nuns walk barefoot along the path where Jesus walked, now known as the 'Via Dolorosa', or the 'Way of Suffering', in Jerusalem's Old City on April 18, 2013, two weeks before Orthodox Easter. (AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(22 of23)
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Christian Catholic pilgrims pray inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, traditionally believed to be the site of the crucifixion of Christ, in Jerusalem's Old City, Friday, March 29, 2013. Less than 2 percent of the population of Israel and the Palestinian territories is Christian, mostly split between Catholicism and Orthodox streams of Christianity. Christians in the West Bank wanting to attend services in Jerusalem must obtain permission from Israeli authorities. Israel's Tourism Ministry said it expects some 150,000 visitors in Israel during Easter week and the Jewish festival of Passover, which coincide this year. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) (credit:AP)
(23 of23)
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A Christian Catholic pilgrim lights a candle inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, traditionally believed to be the site of the crucifixion of Christ, in Jerusalem's Old City, Friday, March 29, 2013. Less than 2 percent of the population of Israel and the Palestinian territories is Christian, mostly split between Catholicism and Orthodox streams of Christianity. Christians in the West Bank wanting to attend services in Jerusalem must obtain permission from Israeli authorities. Israel's Tourism Ministry said it expects some 150,000 visitors in Israel during Easter week and the Jewish festival of Passover, which coincide this year. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) (credit:AP)
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