Palm Sunday, Images of Holy Week


Updated: Images of Palm Sunday

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

Procession begins

Blessing of the palms

Blessing of the palms

Leaving the Church

Leaving the Church

Procession continues around the Church

Procession continues around the Church

Father Philaret Proclaiming the Gospel of the Feast

Proclaiming the Gospel of the Feast