The week begins with Palm Sunday, which commemorates Jesus Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem. It is a moveable feast that falls on the Sunday before Easter. During services, palm branches are blessed and distributed to the congregation, symbolizing the branches that the crowd laid before Christ as he entered the city. These palms are often kept in homes as a reminder of the event and later burned to create ashes for the following year's Ash Wednesday.
Maundy Thursday, also known as Holy Thursday, follows. It commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus with his apostles and the Washing of the Feet (Maundy). The term "Maundy" comes from the Latin word "mandatum," meaning commandment, reflecting Jesus' words "I give you a new commandment." This day marks the initiation of the Easter Triduum, the three-day period leading up to Easter Sunday.
Good Friday is observed in remembrance of the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Calvary. It is a day of solemn reflection and fasting for many Christians. Services often include readings of the Passion narrative and the veneration of the cross. In some traditions, such as the Moravian Church, members clean gravestones in cemeteries as a way of honoring the dead.
Holy Saturday, the final day of Holy Week, is a day of waiting and preparation for Easter Sunday. It commemorates the time when Jesus' body lay in the tomb. The Easter Vigil, held on this night, marks the transition from Lent to Eastertide. It is a service filled with symbolism, including the lighting of the Paschal candle and the reading of salvation history.
Easter Sunday, the culmination of Holy Week, celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. It is the most important day in the Christian calendar and is marked by joyful services, music, and the proclamation of the Easter message. Traditions vary, but they often include the exchange of Easter greetings, the decoration of churches with flowers, and the singing of hymns proclaiming Christ's victory over death.
While the public recognition of Holy Week may vary, its significance lies in the deep spiritual journey it offers to Christians, leading them from the contemplation of Jesus' suffering and death to the celebration of his resurrection and the promise of new life.
