Today, Christians celebrate the great Orthodox holiday Palm Sunday (Κυριακή των Βαΐων). This year the celebration falls on April 17th.
One of the main Christian holidays, the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, is the twelfth rolling feast. That is, its date is not constant, but depends on Easter. However, this holiday is always celebrated on Sunday. In 2022, the church remembers the events of the New Testament history on April 17. On this day, believers bring willow branches to the temple, which symbolize palm branches and candles. Palm Sunday is inextricably linked with Lazarus Saturday, the holidays go one after another. Despite this, historically there was a difference of a month or even two between these events.
What is Palm Sunday?
The events of this holiday took place after the miraculous resurrection of Christ’s friend, Lazarus, whom Jesus revived four days after his death. These actions are described by four evangelists: Matthew, John, Luke and Mark. After the miraculous events in Bethany, Jesus went to Jerusalem. After people saw with their own eyes the resurrection of Lazarus, they went to the city after Christ. The people were so delighted with what the Savior had done that when Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem, the inhabitants began to throw palm branches at his feet and exclaim: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”
Palm Sunday
However, not all people understood that Jesus did not come to reign on earth, but for divine heavenly mercy. And therefore, after some time, the same “Hosanna!” was replaced by a merciless “Crucify him!”. But even before the Savior entered Jerusalem, he knew that the people would not accept him as a result, and that he would perish. For believing Christians, Palm Sunday precedes Holy Week, the week of the strictest fast. For Jesus Christ himself, this day was the last before his full suffering of the Way of the Cross began. It turns out that today it is a symbol of the road to Calvary along with the Savior.
Palm Sunday Traditions
Before Palm Sunday, an all-night vigil is held in Orthodox churches. It is customary to go to the service with palm wreaths in honor of the Lord’s entry into Jerusalem. Gather willow in the morning on Lazarus Saturday. The main tradition of Palm Sunday is the consecration of green twigs, which the priests sprinkle with holy water after the service. Young spring shoots (in Russia – willow) symbolize the victory of life over death, that is, the Resurrection of the Lord. The consecrated branches are kept for a whole year, and then they are burned – they cannot be thrown away.
Fasting on Palm Sunday
The dietary rules for those who fast on this day are different from other days of Lent. On Sunday, in addition to lean hot food in vegetable oil, you can also eat fish.
Today, Christians celebrate the great Orthodox holiday Palm Sunday (Κυριακή των Βαΐων). This year the celebration falls on April 17th.
One of the main Christian holidays, the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, is the twelfth rolling feast. That is, its date is not constant, but depends on Easter. However, this holiday is always celebrated on Sunday. In 2022, the church remembers the events of the New Testament history on April 17. On this day, believers bring willow branches to the temple, which symbolize palm branches and candles. Palm Sunday is inextricably linked with Lazarus Saturday, the holidays go one after another. Despite this, historically there was a difference of a month or even two between these events.
What is Palm Sunday?
The events of this holiday took place after the miraculous resurrection of Christ’s friend, Lazarus, whom Jesus revived four days after his death. These actions are described by four evangelists: Matthew, John, Luke and Mark. After the miraculous events in Bethany, Jesus went to Jerusalem. After people saw with their own eyes the resurrection of Lazarus, they went to the city after Christ. The people were so delighted with what the Savior had done that when Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem, the inhabitants began to throw palm branches at his feet and exclaim: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”
Palm Sunday
However, not all people understood that Jesus did not come to reign on earth, but for divine heavenly mercy. And therefore, after some time, the same “Hosanna!” was replaced by a merciless “Crucify him!”. But even before the Savior entered Jerusalem, he knew that the people would not accept him as a result, and that he would perish. For believing Christians, Palm Sunday precedes Holy Week, the week of the strictest fast. For Jesus Christ himself, this day was the last before his full suffering of the Way of the Cross began. It turns out that today it is a symbol of the road to Calvary along with the Savior.
Palm Sunday Traditions
Before Palm Sunday, an all-night vigil is held in Orthodox churches. It is customary to go to the service with palm wreaths in honor of the Lord’s entry into Jerusalem. Gather willow in the morning on Lazarus Saturday. The main tradition of Palm Sunday is the consecration of green twigs, which the priests sprinkle with holy water after the service. Young spring shoots (in Russia – willow) symbolize the victory of life over death, that is, the Resurrection of the Lord. The consecrated branches are kept for a whole year, and then they are burned – they cannot be thrown away.
Fasting on Palm Sunday
The dietary rules for those who fast on this day are different from other days of Lent. On Sunday, in addition to lean hot food in vegetable oil, you can also eat fish.
More Stories
North Macedonia welcomes recognition by the Patriarchate of the Church of Ohrid
Bogdanos: Pakistan and Britain are financing the construction of a new mosque in Megara
Metropolitan Pavel of Drama dies