Easter

A Brazilian actor died on Sunday after accidentally hanging himself during an Easter play in which he was re-enacting the suicide of Judas Iscariot, whom the Bible describes as the betrayer of Jesus.

Tiago Klimeck, 27, died on Sunday in the hospital after accidentally hanging himself during an open performance on Good Friday in the Brazilian city of Itarare, which is 214 miles west of San Paulo.

Klimeck was preforming onstage as Judas in "The Passion of Christ" play when he attempted to reenact the scene in which the disciple commits suicide after betraying Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, as recorded in the Bible. more >>

A continuing congregation of The Episcopal Church held its first Easter service in a Virginia church since the majority of the members voted to break away from the denomination.

The Falls Church, a piece of ecclesiastical property that traces its origins back to the 18th century, was one of seven church properties that The Episcopal Church won in a court battle back in January.

Henry Burt, secretary of the Diocese of Virginia who grew up as a member of The Falls Church, told The Christian Post that the Episcopal service at The Falls Church last Sunday was well attended. more >>

After breaking in to a fit of giggles talking about the Polish holiday of Dyngus Day Tuesday, newsman Anderson Cooper has apologized.

Speaking on a segment of "RidicuList," Cooper was explaining the end-of-Lent tradition of Dyngus Day where girls strike boys with pussy willow branches.

It was then that Cooper dissolved into a fit of laughter on screen and said, "It's really so stupid." more >>

Pope Benedict XVI prayed for the end of violence in the Middle East and Africa, particularly singling out Syria, Nigeria and Iraq during his Easter address Sunday at Vatican City, as Christians around the world were celebrating the resurrection of Christ.

"May the risen Christ grant hope to the Middle East and enable all the ethnic, cultural and religious groups in that region to work together to advance the common good and respect for human rights," the pope said in his Easter message, "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and to the world), delivered from the St. Peter's Basilica balcony to a crowd of some 100,000 Catholics.

"Particularly in Syria, may there be an end to bloodshed and an immediate commitment to the path of respect, dialogue and reconciliation, as called for by the international community," the pontiff said. "May the many refugees from that country who are in need of humanitarian assistance find the acceptance and solidarity capable of relieving their dreadful sufferings. May the paschal victory encourage the Iraqi people to spare no effort in pursuing the path of stability and development. In the Holy Land, may Israelis and Palestinians courageously take up anew the peace process." more >>

The head of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland has called for Christians to wear the cross with pride.

The appeal was made by Cardinal Keith O'Brien in his Easter Sunday homily in St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh. He encouraged Christians to identify with the cross and make it more prominent in their lives.

Christians, he said, should "wear proudly a symbol of the cross of Christ on their garments each and every day of their lives." more >>

A Hollywood producer wants to make sure that he includes God in the creation of "The Resurrection," a film that he would like to see materialize as the sequel to Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ."

To help ensure that the project is divinely inspired during every step of the way, David Wood has not only brought together four other Christian men to co-produce the film with him, but has also assigned one of them specifically to lead the production's prayer team.

Pastor Tim Price is the CEO of the Center for Prayer Mobilization based in Idyllwild, Calif., and has had a heart to pray for Hollywood for several years. Rather than joining past movements of Christians boycotting Hollywood films deemed inappropriate, he decided to pray. more >>