Hundreds of Christian visitors were in Jerusalem Sunday to celebrate Palm Sunday, the first day of Holy Week.

"It's the holiest place in the world for Christians and it's important for me to come here at least once in my lifetime," Etienne Chevremont, a Parisian who attended mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, told The Associated Press.

Pilgrims joined a procession of about 15,000 Christians that began at the Mount of Olives. As a reminder of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem the Sunday before his crucifixion, marchers carried palm and olive branches. more >>

I am Second, the Texas-based ministry that has garnered recognition for its videos of celebrity testimonies, is teaming up with Reunion Church to host an event that will bring hope to the people of downtown Dallas during Holy Week.

The event, "Easter at the Majestic," will feature live testimonials from some familiar I am Second faces, like the ministry's founder, Norm Miller, illusionist Jim Munroe and "The Biggest Loser" season six winner, Michelle Aguilar. The event will begin at noon each day from Apr. 2-6, and will be held at the 1,700-seat Majestic Theater in downtown Dallas.

"It's easy to get caught up in the mundane day-to-day of work and life," Richard Ellis, pastor and founder of Reunion Church, said in a statement. "Our hope is 'Easter at the Majestic' will be a chance to focus on the importance of the holiday week and celebration of how we can be transformed when we put Jesus first." more >>

With the celebration of Easter less than two weeks away, megachurch pastor Mark Driscoll outlined what he called the eight truths about the reason for Jesus' death on the cross in a recent blog post.

Driscoll, who leads the Seattle-based Mars Hill Church, points out that while it's uncommon for someone to sacrifice his or her life for a friend, "it would be nearly impossible to find examples of people sacrificing their life for an enemy."

Yet, Jesus made such a sacrifice nearly 2,000 years ago when he died "for the ungodly," as the apostle Paul wrote in Romans, Driscoll explained in his post, "Why Jesus Died on the Cross." more >>

Eight years after watching the phenomenal success of Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ," Hollywood promoter and producer David Wood remains steadfast to a vision that he credits to God – the story of the resurrection of Jesus Christ told by way of a major motion picture.

Gibson's movie, which is also referred to as "The Passion," depicted Jesus' final 12 hours of his life, but alludes only briefly to his resurrection at the end.

Wood plans to produce what some in the Christian filmmaking community and beyond believe will be "God's sequel" to the film, depicting the events surrounding the resurrection and the 40 days that followed. "The Resurrection" will be unique in many ways, he told The Christian Post on Monday. more >>

While Easter is a time to meditate on and celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus for Christians, it brings good news for retailers, too. From apparel and candy to food and decorations, American consumers are expected to spend $16.8 billion on the occasion on April 8, according to a survey.

Americans will shell out an average of $145.28 on Easter, up 11 percent from $131.04 last year, according to National Retail Federation's Easter spending survey, conducted by BIGinsight. Total spending is expected to reach $16.8 billion, excluding the gasoline they will buy to get to church, estimated the survey designed to gauge consumer behavior and shopping trends related to Easter.

"Though the price of gas is on everyone's mind, Easter is one of the few holidays some consumers are willing to stretch their budgets, especially because many children look forward to treats and new outfits on Easter morning," NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said in a press release. "Retailers will make sure to offer plenty of promotions on candy, apparel, food and decorations in the coming weeks for eager holiday shoppers." more >>

A plan to hold Easter service at a Sacramento, Calif., mosque is drawing a mixed reaction from the Christian community.

Some are commending the event, especially the generosity of the Muslim community to provide a place for a Sacramento community needing space, as a needed expression of mutual respect between cultures. But the good news of a resurrected Christ won't be part of the service.

"I know that I don't believe in the physical resurrection of Jesus but I do believe his spirit ascended and his teachings are very valid and transformative," the Rev. Michael Moran, senior minister of The Spiritual Life Center, told The Christian Post over the phone. more >>