Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday is a worldwide Christian holiday. This day marks the beginning of the so-called Holy Week, which ends with Easter. Each year, the date of the holiday varies as it depends directly on the date on which Easter falls.

History

The history of Palm Sunday dates back to ancient times, to the birth of Christianity. According to legend, on this day, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. This is one of the many events in the Bible where a donkey is mentioned. People greeted him by lining the road in front of him with palm leaves and holding them up. Some threw their cloaks on the ground. Some sources claim that Jesus also held some leaves in his hands and waved them around.

The entrance of Jesus was considered a great event, as many people had heard about his miracles. The people of the city greeted him as a hero and king who would bring them happiness and help the city. On this day, it is customary to burn the palm leaves and save the ashes. These ashes will be used later on Ash Wednesday, when the tradition of covering the head with ashes is observed. Many people draw a cross on their foreheads with ashes.

Interesting Facts

• In Eastern European countries, it is customary to wake up children with a wave of a willow twig. The traditions of the celebration differ from one part of the world to another.
• In Latvia and neighboring countries, it is customary to use tassels of willow as a plant symbol.

How to Celebrate

Celebrate this holiday in your best traditions. If you’re going to dive into the specifics of celebrating the great Christian holidays, explore more information about Palm Sunday online to find out what traditions exist on this day.

Tell us about the holiday on social media. Ask other users if they celebrate Palm Sunday.

When is Palm Sunday in 2025?

Palm Sunday is observed annually on the Sunday before Easter.

Observations