Easter began early in the national capital, with a local Lutheran Church greeting Easter Sunday at dawn.
After the hymns the group shared communion, with a chorus of kookaburras and magpies in the background.
Pastor Jacob Traeger led the service as the sun rose over the Canberra skyline.
Jacob Traeger says there’s no situation that’s “too far for God to get to”. (ABC News: Elizabeth Byrne)
“The Christian message about Easter is that we can always have hope because there’s no situation that is beyond God, there’s nothing that’s too far for God to get to,” he said.
Included in the prayers was a mention for the politicians on the election campaign, who were urged to show compassion.
The service wound up with egg and bacon rolls, hot cross buns and tea.
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In a recorded Easter message, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wished all Australians “a safe and joyous Easter weekend”.
“Whether you’re reflecting, taking a break, spending time with family and friends or getting the kids ready for an Easter egg hunt, this is a wonderful time of year,” he said.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said Easter was “a moment to reflect on the life, sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ”.
“Good Friday is of course a solemn day of reflection but by Sunday it becomes a celebration of hope and of new life through the risen Christ,” he said.
Sydney service calls for solidarity
Hundreds of churchgoers attended a morning service at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Western Sydney.
The hour-long mass focused in part on standing in solidarity with people facing conflict and suffering.
Catholic Bishop Vincent Long Van Nguyen also spoke about hope for those in places including Ukraine, Myanmar, Sudan and Gaza.
Bishop of Parramatta Vincent Long Van Nguyen spoke of hope for people in countries and regions torn by conflict. (ABC News: Berge Breiland)
Prayers for a homeland at war
Earlier, parishioners gathered at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in North Melbourne for a late night service led by Cardinal Mykola Bychok.
He is the youngest member of the College of Cardinals after being appointed by Pope Francis in December 2024.
In his Easter Pastoral Letter, he said the resurrection of Christ was a source of hope amid the suffering faced by Ukrainians and others around the world.
“We cannot celebrate Pascha this year without turning our thoughts and prayers to our suffering homeland of Ukraine,” he wrote.
A candlelit procession followed a service at St Catherine’s Greek Orthodox Church in Melbourne. (ABC News)
“The war continues to bring devastation, pain, and heartbreak. Yet even here, in the shadow of the cross, we cling to the promise of the empty tomb.
“We live in hope that this unjust aggression will be brought to an end and that a just and lasting peace will be established.”
In another late night service, a large crowd of worshippers gathered at the St Catherine’s Greek Orthodox Church in Malvern for a midnight service and procession.
For the first time in eight years, all branches of Christianity are celebrating Easter on the same dates.
‘A sense of community’
In Hobart, pews were filled at both St David’s Anglican Cathedral and St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral while hymns were sung and messages of hope shared.
Daniel Melody was among those in attendance at St Mary’s and said, for him, the day was one of connection.
“When we come here on Easter Sunday — everyone from all different backgrounds and walks of life — we’re all coming together and it’s a sense of community we just don’t really find anywhere else,” he said.
Fema Cuadras attended the service at St Mary’s in Hobart while on holiday from Western Australia. (ABC News: Meg Whitfield)
Fema Cuadras, on holiday in Hobart from Perth, Western Australia, said going to Mass on Easter Sunday each year was important to her.
“It’s the day when the Lord has risen, so it’s basically the essence of our Catholic faith,” she said.
‘Light into darkness’ in city of churches
Outside St Peter’s Cathedral in Adelaide, Anglican Archbishop Reverend Geoffrey Smith said the day marked a time of hope.
“Easter is the sign of victory over death. The sign of victory over evil. The sign of victory over chaos,” he said.
“It symbolises really an invasion — an invasion of light into darkness, and good into evil — so, Easter is a great time of hope for everyone.”
Worshippers at Adelaide’s St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral practised the lost art of forgiveness. (ABC News: Brant Cumming)
Across the city at St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral, Adelaide’s Catholic Archbishop Patrick O’Regan said he had a simple message to share this year.
“Choose hope over fear would be my first thing and that’s what Easter is all about,” he said.
“The second is, forgive and be forgiven — it’s often a lost art these days.
“And thirdly, be a light for others in a darkened world. That’s my simple message today. It’s a message of hope and a message of life.”
A message of hope
St Mary’s Cathedral in Perth was full to capacity as Archbishop Timothy Costelloe shared his Easter message, focusing on hope and mercy.
“Hope is at the heart of Easter,” he said.
Timothy Costelloe conducts the Easter Sunday Mass at Perth’s St Mary’s Cathderal. (ABC News: Garrett Mundy)
“When Jesus rose from the tomb, he conquered not only death but also fear, sin, and despair.
“In the face of life’s challenges, we too are called to be people of hope.”
Fun in the sun
After weeks of rain and wet weather, the Sunshine Coast’s beaches were packed with locals and tourists making the most of glorious, sunny conditions.
At Alexandra Headland, surf lifesaver Jayden Barrett said conditions had been mostly good and crowds had been well-behaved.
Camille Mcgibbony dressed up in an inflatable bunny costume to get into the Easter Sunday spirit. (ABC News: Lottie Twyford)
“After being locked up from all the rain lately, everyone’s just coming out to make the most of the sunny conditions,” he said.
Large groups of friends and family went down to the beach for the day, body-surfing, surfing and even having a sausage sizzle.
Dani Barrett was among those making the most of “spending time in the best place in the world”.
Jayden Barrett says he’s “pretty happy with what I’ve seen” from beachgoers on Sunday. (ABC News: Lottie Twyford)
“There’s no need to be fussy today, it’s absolutely beautiful,” she said.
“Spending some time with the kids, having some time off work and making the most of it.”
At Mooloolaba, Easter picnics were the go.
Gary Broadridge and four generations of his family were carrying out their annual tradition of a family barbecue at the beach.
Dani Barrett was making the most of time off work with the kids. (ABC News: Lottie Twyford)
“We come down every year at Easter, always to Mooloolaba … we’ve been doing it for a long time,” he said.
Even the Easter Bunny — a costumed Camille Mcgibbony — was spotted soaking up the sun.
Despite the heat, Ms Mcgibbony donned an inflatable bunny suit and spent the morning handing out eggs.
Gary Broadridge comes to the beach at Mooloolaba for a family barbecue every Easter. (ABC News: Lottie Twyford)
She said she’d had a lot of hugs, as well as lots of waves and laughs, although she didn’t anticipate being able to keep the suit on for the afternoon as the mercury continued to climb.
Bunny ears and dance moves
Darwin-based line dancing club the Top End Mustangs spent Easter Sunday at the local Country Women’s Association hall.
The group celebrated with bonnet judging, afternoon tea, and dancing to an eclectic playlist of songs.
Darwin’s Top End Mustangs in action. (ABC News: Sam Perry)
“Anything that’s got a bit of a beat, we’ll dance to it,” president Julie Fischer confessed.
Club vice president Carol Drescher said the club was multicultural and multi-religion.
Ms Drescher said while the dance moves had become more complicated, the dress code was relaxed.
“It was all hats, belts and buckles but now it’s wear whatever you’re comfortable in — most of us wear orthopaedic shoes.”
