Thousands of Maltese families are visiting churches for the traditional 'seven visits' today as the Catholic world marks Good Friday.

Crowds of people resorted to several expressions of religious piety – pilgrimages, processions and band marches – which still play an important religious and cultural role during Lent in Malta.

The stations of the cross are a 14-step devotion that commemorates Jesus Christ before the crucifixion. This is normally followed by hours of silent praying and worship.

Hundreds of others headed to Siggiewi last night for the traditional is-Salib tal-Għolja pilgrimage.

Countries around the world also marked Good Friday, most notably in the Philippines where a number of people were actually nailed to a wooden cross.

Actor Brendan Paul, portraying Jesus Christ, carries a wooden cross during a religious performance to mark Easter on Good Friday in central Sydney, Australia.Actor Brendan Paul, portraying Jesus Christ, carries a wooden cross during a religious performance to mark Easter on Good Friday in central Sydney, Australia.

Worshippers carry crosses during a Good Friday procession along the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem's Old City.Worshippers carry crosses during a Good Friday procession along the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem's Old City.

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.