Ministers said church attendances in the city throughout Easter, including Good Friday, were generally similar to last year and people of all ages, including children and teenagers, were actively involved in yesterday's celebrations.
Many tourists from the United States, England and Australia, as well as other out-of-town visitors, including from Christchurch, added to the congregations, with some regular Dunedin worshippers away over the Easter holiday break.
The Rev Dr Sarah Marshall said a 10am Knox Church service, attended by about 200 people, had ended on a strongly celebratory note, with the church choir singing the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah.
Many overseas visitors joined Presbyterian parishioners at a 10am service, attended by about 150 people, at First Church of Otago.
Many out-of-town people, including from Christchurch and Invercargill, who had been attending an inter-centre sports event in Dunedin were among about 150 people who also attended a noon service for the Cook Island community at the church.
The Rev Anne Thomson said Easter Sunday services at the church had reflected "the joy that comes in the morning" after the sorrows of the crucifixion.
About 50 people attended an 8am service at St Paul's Cathedral and about 150 people were at the 10am service.
Cathedral dean the Very Rev Dr Trevor James said the absence on holiday breaks of many regular parishioners had somewhat reduced attendance yesterday but the services had nonetheless struck a "very positive" note.
The Rev Ian Guy, of Kaikorai Presbyterian Church, said there had been a "sense of jubilation" at two morning Easter Sunday services, and the Highlanders' Super 15 rugby victory on Saturday added to the celebration, which was reflected in "enthusiastic" singing.
Kaikorai parishioners had earlier joined people from the Brockville Community Church at Brockville for a 7.15am service and the two groups again joined forces for a 10am service at Kaikorai, attended by about 90.
Fr John Harrison, of St Joseph's Catholic Cathedral, said about 350 people attended a 10am service at the cathedral yesterday and an 8pm vigil on Saturday had also been well attended.
Christ's death and resurrection had opened up "the way to heaven" and a "sense of joyfulness" had prevailed at the Sunday morning service, he said.
