Christian pilgrims from around the worldgathered in Jerusalem's Old City to celebrate Good Friday, some carrying large wooden crosses through the narrow cobblestone streets as they followed the route Jesus took on the way to his crucifixion.

Clergymen in colorful robes, representing different Catholic and Orthodox denominations, filed early Friday into the ancient Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where many believe Jesus was crucified and buried. In a yearly tradition, the church's doors were unlocked by a member of the Muslim family that has held the key for centuries.

Inside the church, pilgrims pressed their heads to the long, smooth stone where Jesus' body is believed to have been washed after being removed from the cross.

The calendars of five major Christian sects coincide this year, a convergence that happens only once every four years, and crowds were expected to be larger than usual.

Israel Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said hundreds of police were deployed around the Old City to maintain order as thousands of pilgrims retrace the route of Jesus' final walk.

There are 14 stations along the route, known as the Via Dolorosa, each marking an event that befell Jesus as he carried the cross through Jerusalem. The final five stations are all inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where many Christians believe Jesus was stripped, crucified,
and finally laid to rest before being resurrected on Easter Sunday.