Catholic Archbishop Christopher Prowse said the terror attack on Coptic churches in Cairo showed the suffering and death of Christians continued in imitation of Jesus.

Archbishop Prowse said the conversion of hearts from hatred to peace was the ultimate prayer.

"It is the beginning point of our shared hope that the future will bring forth the practical harvest of joy and mutual respect in society," he said.

"Christians believe that in Jesus Christ this journey to peace has already been won yet still not fully realised in our world.

"The resurrection of Jesus from the brutality of his death on the Calvary Cross is the sign of God's ultimate victory over the terror of the night."

Archbishop Prowse urged reaching out to those who are struggling.

"Let us start by the conversion of our attitudes from selfishness to the planting of the seeds of a generous societal heart," he said.

Uniting Church Canberra region presbytery co-chairs Vanessa Crimmins and John Williams said Easter was about finding new life in a grace-filled relationship with God.

For individuals they said this meant being unselfish, not rushing to judge others, speaking up for justice and sacrifice.

The co-chairs said Jesus mixed and shared meals with the marginalised, the outcast, those in need of healing and women held to be of no account.

"Should you find some quiet time this Easter we encourage you to explore the opportunities for grace-filled actions in your life," they said.

"They will come to you should you seek them, no matter how small they might seem.

"Such are the seeds of a revolution at both a personal and community level and a revolution this country needs.

"Many live this life, some in the churches but most outside. Can you join this Easter in this revolution of grace? Are you up for it?"

The Anglican Primate of Australia, Archbishop Philip Freier, said Jesus' resurrection from the dead proved his victory over sin and death.

"For Christians, hope can never again be utterly extinguished," Archbishop Freier said.

"Easter speaks throughout the ages to the condition of human despair.

"Christian faith shows us the way in which we can share in Jesus' victory over all that pushes us to despair.

"Jesus told his disciples that his mission was about reconciling humanity with God and with each other.

"His mission was intensely personal as much as it was universal. That is why Christians speak about having a personal relationship with Jesus and being alive with his spirit."

Archbishop Freier said this was a real and lived experience.

"The Saviour cares so much for his people that he enters and transforms their lives, and numbers every hair on their heads," he said.

"Christian worship on Good Friday confronts the dark reality of Jesus' suffering and death. Holy Saturday reflects the time Jesus' body lay in the tomb.

"Both contrast with the joyous celebration of Easter Day, usually a celebration rich with music and colour."