At Easter Sunday services across the country, worshippers have been urged to look for joy and hope, despite the “heaviness” of recent global events.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attended Easter Mass at St Christopher’s Cathedral in Canberra.
In his Easter message, he said many Australians were “uniting in contemplation of the crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
“This is a time of reflection and a time of joy. Hopefully you’re catching up with family and friends and maybe helping kids enjoy the fun of an Easter egg hunt in a backyard,” he said.
At St John’s Anglican Church in Canberra, Reverend Dave McLennan said people had “lots to rejoice about”, despite global turmoil.
“With all the things that are going on in the world, there is a lot of anxiety and a lot of fear. Christians believe that in this story there is something wonderful that more than outweighs all of the negative stuff that fills our minds most of the time,” he said.
“So it is just wonderful seeing so many smiling faces and people really celebrating something.”
Easter faith amid uncertainty in Melbourne
At St Paul’s Cathedral in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, worshippers were urged to reflect on the “deep uncertainty” around the globe.
Every pew was filled for Easter Mass in Melbourne on Sunday. (ABC News)
Archbishop Ric Thorpe gave a sermon focused on the resurrection of Christ, at times drawing parallels to C.S Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia, cost-of-living troubles and international conflict.
“The deepest law of the universe is not death, but self-giving love,” Dr Thorpe said.
“Easter faith is not naive optimism, it’s not pretending that suffering is unreal, it is the courageous trust that God has acted decisively in Jesus Christ.”
A joyful atmosphere filled the air as worshippers left St Paul’s Cathedral following the sermon. (ABC News)
One man leaving the cathedral said he was not a regular churchgoer, but days like Easter and Christmas remained special to him.
“It really meant a lot to me that he conveyed the similarity when Jesus appeared to the apostles and said, ‘don’t be afraid, it’ll all work out’, and I’m hoping that’ll be the case in the Middle East and the rest of the world,” he said.
One man said the sermon had given him a sense of peace amid global tensions. (ABC News)
Another young churchgoer said the sermon put into perspective how fortunate Australians were.
“We’re absolutely blessed to be in Australia, and it was great to hear the archbishop give his blessings and pray for peace for other places who just aren’t as lucky as us,” he said.
Multicultural mix in Sydney’s west
At Parramatta in Sydney’s west, hundreds of people gathered in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral for a service that reflected the area’s multiculturalism.
The pews were filled with people of all ages and backgrounds, with only standing room available for the late-comers.
It was standing room only at this church in Sydney’s west, as the congregation flocked to mark Easter. (ABC News: Nandini Dhir)
Joseph Sadek attends the church regularly and brought his baby daughter on Sunday for her first Easter Mass.
“It’s a very diverse culture here as well in the church, and we all respect each other, we all love each other, and I guess that’s what Easter is all about,” he said.
Debbie Malinis is part of the St Patrick’s community in Parramatta. She said Easter was a reminder to help others amid crises.
“I’m praying for my family, peace around the world and what’s happening in the Middle East,” she said.
“The cost of living is really very high, and I know a lot of people are having a hard time.”
A multicultural congregation received communion together on Sunday in Parramatta. (ABC News: Nandini Dhir)
Assistant priest, Father Andrew Rooney, said people were concerned about issues globally and locally, but that Easter brought the community together.
“Here in the Diocese of Parramatta … we truly see a bit of an image of heaven, of all people from all different walks of life coming together to celebrate and worship,” he said.
Joy amid the ‘heaviness’ in Brisbane
In Brisbane, Anglican Archbishop Jeremy Greaves delivered a message of hope to the congregation gathered at St John’s Cathedral.
“I think even though there’s war happening in all sorts of parts of the world, I think people here at home are feeling the heaviness of things at the moment,” he said.
The Easter Sunday service at St John’s Cathedral in Brisbane was well attended. (ABC News: Sarah Richards)
“Easter stands as a bit of a counterpoint to that. It tells a story of hope and the victory of love … people need to hear that at a time like this.”
He said there was “such joy” amongst the congregation this morning.
“It’s always terrific to have a full cathedral, with great music and great singing”.
Positivity in the capital
There was a packed crowd at Canberra’s oldest church for the Easter Sunday morning service.
Easter service at St John’s Anglican Church in Reid, Canberra’s oldest church. (ABC News: Monte Bovill)
St John’s Anglican Church rector Dave McLennan said there was “lots to rejoice about”.
“With all the things that are going on in the world, there is a lot of anxiety and a lot of fear,” he said.
“Christians believe that in this story there is something wonderful that more than outweighs all of the negative stuff that fills our minds.”
Louise Home attended the service with her family and said it was a “lovely reminder that Christ died for our sins”.
Louise and Douglas Home with their daughter outside St John’s Anglican Church, Canberra, after the Easter Sunday mass. (ABC News: Monte Bovill)
“We are born into new life on Easter Day,” she said.
“It is a beautiful church steeped in history and we are lucky enough that it is our local church … we feel right at home here.”
Nothing beats an Easter egg hunt
“Found one!” Archie, 3, was very pleased with his haul of Easter eggs on Sunday morning. (ABC News: Nick Dole)
The Easter Bunny was no match for a group of children on Sydney’s Lower North Shore, who promptly found eggs wherever they were hidden.
Archie, 3, was chuffed to bits when he found one hidden in a tree.
Others were found in pot plants or in the nooks of playground equipment, but all were discovered.
The Easter Bunny was no match for four-year-old Neve, who filled her bucket with eggs. (ABC News: Nick Dole)
Max, 7, said the Easter Bunny could afford to be more cunning next time, as he had been able to easily spot more than a dozen eggs lying in the bushes.
Still, he wanted the Easter Bunny to know that he appreciated the effort.
“Thanks for being kind,” he said.
Seven-year-old Heidi, who found about 20 eggs, said the Easter Bunny had a shock when it visited her home this morning.
“The Easter Bunny came [but] our dog chased the bunny,” she said.
Fortunately, some chocolate eggs were left behind.
Meanwhile, hundreds descended on Canberra’s Haig Park for Easter celebrations.
There was a visit from the Easter Bunny, as well as an Easter hat parade, Easter egg painting and a scavenger hunt.
It was all smiles for this family during the Easter egg hunt at Haig Park in Canberra. (ABC News: Monte Bovill)
“It’s been a fun Easter morning with the kids; it’s our first time celebrating in Canberra,” one woman said.
“It’s good to celebrate with the community.”
First service for new Hobart archbishop
Around 300 people filled St Mary’s Cathedral this morning in Hobart for the Catholic congregation’s major Easter Sunday Mass.
This year’s Easter services were the first for the new archbishop of Hobart, Anthony John Ireland, who has been in the role since August last year.
Easter Sunday Mass was held at St Mary’s Cathedral in Hobart. (ABC News: Joshua Duggan)
Meanwhile, the city’s Anglican Church, St David’s Cathedral, has held three services this morning.
Leaving the 8am holy communion service, one churchgoer said it “was a very celebratory service — very bright and joyful.”
Another, Cam, said “it was a nice way to get the day started”, before adding that his highlight was an Easter egg handed out after the sermon.
An Easter anniversary in Townsville
In Townsville, in North Queensland, more than 400 people gathered on top of Castle Hill for a sunrise service.
Many had hiked up the mountain in the dark.
A sunrise Easter service was held at the top of Castle Hill in Townsville. (ABC News: James Tugwell)
This year marks 60 years of the mountain-top service — a tradition that began in 1966 when a few dozen Salvation Army members with brass instruments gathered for an Easter service.
Katrina McIntosh from Salvation Army Townsville Corps said watching the sun rise over the horizon while singing was special.
“Watching the sun come over as you say ‘He is risen’ is one of those moments where it makes it feel real,” she said.
The first mountain-top service in Townsville was a small gathering. (Supplied: Salvation Army)
“It’s a reflection of what the church can be and should be in the world today and into the future.
“I look forward to it every year.”
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