The tradition has spanned 60 years of Sunderland life and the Echo has been there to capture memories of the ceremony throughout the decades.
Here are nine views of scenes from 1987 to 2013.
1. Paying tribute to a decades-old tradition
The raising of the cross has been part of the Tunstall Hills tradition for around 60 years.
2. Raising of the cross in 1987
The Tunstall Hills cross raising and Easter service was photographed by the Echo in 1987.
3. A 1989 photo
Gathered round the cross in this Echo archive scene from 1989.
4. Sharing a 2003 memory
The procession on Tunstall Hills in 2003.