During the fourth century, at the very place where the glorious entrance into Jerusalem had occurred, Palm Sunday was commemorated in the following fashion: first, a public reading of the gospel in which Christ is hailed as the King of Israel taking possession of his capital city, Jerusalem, symbol of the Heavenly City; then a bishop, riding an ass and surrounded by a multitude of people carrying palms and singing hymns, went up to the Church of the Resurrection. Every Eastern Church took up this celebration in the form of a procession. This also was adopted by the Church of Rome in the year 1039.

“O Christ God, enthroned in Heaven and on earth riding upon a colt, You have accepted the praise of the Angels and the hymns of the children who were crying out to You: ‘Blessed are You who come to restore Adam.’ ”	Procession begins
Blessing of the palms	Leaving the Church
Procession continues around the Church	Proclaiming the Gospel of the Feast