Christians reflect on Good Friday

Christians have marked their most important holy day, Good Friday, in solemn and well attended church services around the country.

In Sydney, a dramatic re-enactment of Jesus' crucifixion broke the quiet of the CBD streets on Friday morning.

It began in Martin Place where an actor playing Jesus, dressed in bloodied robes, had a crown of thorns placed on his head.

As other actors, from Sydney's Wesley Mission, appeared as Roman centurions, guards, slaves and King Herod, `Jesus' limped and cried in pain as he carried a large timber cross along Pitt Street, where he was mocked and pushed to the ground.

The procession bewildered small groups of onlookers dining out in the few cafes open for the public holiday.

Earlier, a congregation of about 1,000 gathered in St Mary's Cathedral for the traditional Stations of the Cross Catholic mass.

A similar number attended an Anglican service in Sydney's St Andrew's Cathedral early on Friday morning.

In Brisbane, St John's Anglican Cathedral hosted a children's service for the first time this year.

Sub-dean Peter Catt said the church was so encouraged by the response from the 140 infants, children and teenagers who attended, it would become a regular event.

Canon Catt said the children brought joy - and noise - to the otherwise sombre day.

One two-year-old girl even did a dance while placing flowers at the foot of the cross, he said.

"Kids are kids," he laughed.

"Even when Jesus was being dragged around the streets, there would have been kids just doing their thing."

Around 400 people attended the cathedral's midday service, up on previous years.

Brisbane's Catholic community also flocked to services on Friday, with more than 1,000 gathering at St Stephen's Cathedral for the Stations of the Cross service on Friday afternoon.

About 400 people attended a service at Melbourne's St Paul's Anglican Cathedral.

The Very Reverend David Richardson said Easter was the "centrepiece" of the year for Christians.

"Their christianity connects at this time of year in significant ways," Dean Richardson said.

Larger congregations are expected at services on Easter Sunday.