Palm Sunday falls on April 28 Photo: Vladimir Zhabrikov © URA.RU
Palm Sunday, also known as the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, is one of the main holidays in the Orthodox calendar, celebrated a week before Easter. This day symbolizes the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, when the people greeted him with palm branches. In Russia, this tradition was replaced by willow, as a symbol of rebirth and the first signs of spring. URA.RU tells you how to spend this day without violating religious traditions.
When is Palm Sunday celebrated?
The date of Palm Sunday is not constant. It is celebrated annually on different days, a week before the main Christian holiday – Easter. In 2024, believers will celebrate Palm Sunday on April 28, before the start of the strictest week of Lent – Holy Week.
The meaning of Palm Sunday
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Palm Sunday, celebrated on the eve of Holy Week, is a key holiday in the Christian tradition, belonging to the twelve solemnities associated with the life of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary. On this day, they remember the solemn entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, which marked the beginning of his path to suffering and Resurrection. Then, the day before, Christ miraculously resurrected Lazarus, and the entire city enthusiastically greeted Christ, throwing a palm branch at his feet. In the eyes of people, in particular the Jews, Jesus was perceived as a messiah capable of giving them freedom.
In Russia, instead of palm trees, they began to use willow – one of the very first plants to bloom in the spring. On this day, believers traditionally come to churches to participate in services and consecrate willow branches, which they then use to decorate their houses.
Willow branches are a symbol of the triumph of life over death and reflect the essence of the Resurrection of Christ. Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem preceded his final days on earth, including prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, betrayal by Judas, death on the cross, and the subsequent miracle of the Resurrection. Interestingly, in Russia the holiday is associated specifically with the willow, while in other countries various plants are used: olive branches in Italy, orange blossoms in France, dried flowers in Eastern Europe and traditional palm leaves in the southern regions.
Traditions and faith
In anticipation of the holiday, on the Saturday before Palm Sunday, known as Lazarus Saturday, believers can bless willow branches in churches. On this Saturday, which falls on April 27, priests wear green robes, symbolizing rebirth and eternal life, and hold an all-night vigil.
Those who cannot visit the temple consecrate willow branches at home, sprinkling them with holy water and saying prayers from the prayer book to consecrate various objects. On Palm Sunday, when the Gospel story of Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem is read in churches, many parishioners bring branches to the service for blessing.
After this, the consecrated willow branches become a decoration for home icons. They are preserved for a year or even longer, but the clergy remind that the main meaning of the holiday lies not in the palm branches, but in the spiritual transformation and meaning of this day.
How to choose a willow and what to do with it
Preparations for the upcoming celebration begin in advance, since a bouquet of willow is placed in water several days before the holiday so that the branches have time to open. After the branches bloom, they form soft yellow buds, which are commonly called “seals”.
It is important that the cut branches are fresh and exude a pleasant aroma, and that the buds on the cuttings remain moisturized without drying out. Traditionally, a bouquet is formed from an odd number of branches. If you decide to cut willow yourself, you should give preference to young and healthy bushes located away from highways and cemeteries.
After the end of the holiday, there is no need to throw away the blessed willow branches. Church ministers advise releasing them into the river current or returning them to earth and fire in a secluded place. In some cases, willow branches can even take root if kept in water, after which they can be planted in the ground. It is also customary to hand over last year’s branches to the church for proper disposal, along with old church calendars and icons.
What not to do on Palm Sunday
On Palm Sunday, it is customary to leave aside all worldly concerns and devote time to spiritual practices. Believers should celebrate this day with joy, remembering those who joyfully welcomed Jesus to Jerusalem after he raised Lazarus.
Melancholy and despondency are generally considered a sin, and on holidays one should especially not succumb to them. For this reason, visiting a cemetery on Palm Sunday and the day preceding it is not recommended if it causes sadness. However, if you feel the need, the church allows you to visit the cemetery, advising you to take willow branches with you.
On this bright day, it is strictly forbidden to quarrel and conflict. Instead, the church calls for reconciliation with family, spending time together, going to church and visiting relatives. It has become popular to send cards wishing you health and well-being on Palm Sunday.
Palm Week often occurs during the warm season, when many people go to their dachas. However, labor, construction or other hard work is not encouraged during this period. There is a belief that plants planted this week will not grow properly and will not bear a good harvest. This applies to all plants except those that grow upward (peas, sunflowers and bush cucumbers).
On Palm Sunday, relief is provided for those observing Lent. In particular, the consumption of fish and dishes made from it is allowed. After this day, the strictest part of Lent begins – Holy Week, which ends with the most significant Christian celebration – Easter.
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Palm Sunday, also known as the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, is one of the main holidays in the Orthodox calendar, celebrated a week before Easter. This day symbolizes the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, when the people greeted him with palm branches. In Russia, this tradition was replaced by willow, as a symbol of rebirth and the first signs of spring. URA.RU tells you how to spend this day without violating religious traditions. The date of Palm Sunday is not constant. It is celebrated annually on different days, a week before the main Christian holiday – Easter. In 2024, believers will celebrate Palm Sunday on April 28, before the start of the strictest week of Lent – Holy Week. Palm Sunday, celebrated on the eve of Holy Week, is a key holiday in the Christian tradition, belonging to the twelve solemnities associated with the life of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary. On this day, they remember the solemn entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, which marked the beginning of his path to suffering and Resurrection. Then, the day before, Christ miraculously resurrected Lazarus, and the entire city enthusiastically greeted Christ, throwing a palm branch at his feet. In the eyes of people, in particular the Jews, Jesus was perceived as a messiah capable of giving them freedom. In Russia, instead of palm trees, they began to use willow – one of the very first plants to bloom in the spring. On this day, believers traditionally come to churches to participate in services and consecrate willow branches, which they then use to decorate their houses. Willow branches are a symbol of the triumph of life over death and reflect the essence of the Resurrection of Christ. Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem preceded his final days on earth, including prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, betrayal by Judas, death on the cross, and the subsequent miracle of the Resurrection. Interestingly, in Russia the holiday is associated specifically with the willow, while in other countries various plants are used: olive branches in Italy, orange blossoms in France, dried flowers in Eastern Europe and traditional palm leaves in the southern regions. In anticipation of the holiday, on the Saturday before Palm Sunday, known as Lazarus Saturday, believers can bless willow branches in churches. On this Saturday, which falls on April 27, priests wear green robes, symbolizing rebirth and eternal life, and hold an all-night vigil. Those who cannot visit the temple consecrate willow branches at home, sprinkling them with holy water and saying prayers from the prayer book to consecrate various objects. On Palm Sunday, when the Gospel story of Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem is read in churches, many parishioners bring branches to the service for blessing. After this, the consecrated willow branches become a decoration for home icons. They are preserved for a year or even longer, but the clergy remind that the main meaning of the holiday lies not in the palm branches, but in the spiritual transformation and meaning of this day. Preparations for the upcoming celebration begin in advance, since a bouquet of willow is placed in water several days before the holiday so that the branches have time to open. After the branches bloom, they form soft yellow buds, which are commonly called “seals”. It is important that the cut branches are fresh and exude a pleasant aroma, and that the buds on the cuttings remain moisturized without drying out. Traditionally, a bouquet is formed from an odd number of branches. If you decide to cut willow yourself, you should give preference to young and healthy bushes located away from highways and cemeteries. After the end of the holiday, there is no need to throw away the blessed willow branches. Church ministers advise releasing them into the river current or returning them to earth and fire in a secluded place. In some cases, willow branches can even take root if kept in water, after which they can be planted in the ground. It is also customary to hand over last year’s branches to the church for proper disposal, along with old church calendars and icons. On Palm Sunday, it is customary to leave aside all worldly concerns and devote time to spiritual practices. Believers should celebrate this day with joy, remembering those who joyfully welcomed Jesus to Jerusalem after he raised Lazarus. Melancholy and despondency are generally considered a sin, and on holidays one should especially not succumb to them. For this reason, visiting a cemetery on Palm Sunday and the day preceding it is not recommended if it causes sadness. However, if you feel the need, the church allows you to visit the cemetery, advising you to take willow branches with you. On this bright day, it is strictly forbidden to quarrel and conflict. Instead, the church calls for reconciliation with family, spending time together, going to church and visiting relatives. It has become popular to send cards wishing you health and well-being on Palm Sunday. Palm Week often occurs during the warm season, when many people go to their dachas. However, labor, construction or other hard work is not encouraged during this period. There is a belief that plants planted this week will not grow properly and will not bear a good harvest. This applies to all plants except those that grow upward (peas, sunflowers and bush cucumbers). On Palm Sunday, relief is provided for those observing Lent. In particular, the consumption of fish and dishes made from it is allowed. After this day, the strictest part of Lent begins – Holy Week, which ends with the most significant Christian celebration – Easter.
