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Thousands of Orthodox Christians walked on Friday along the Via Dolorosa in the Old City of Jerusalem, during Good Friday processions retracing what they believe was the route that Jesus Christ took to his crucifixion.

Worshippers from different eastern calendar Christian denominations, from all over the world kicked off the Easter festival on Good Friday with the procession through the Via Dolorosa to the Holy Sepulchre church.

The Greek Orthodox Church, one of the wealthiest and most influential churches in the city, will hold their 'Holy Fire' ceremony on Saturday ahead of midnight mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to mark the start of Easter.