One of the most important times of the year for Christians is Holy Week, an eight-day period beginning on Palm Sunday, filled with religious symbolism, ceremony, obligation and renewal leading up to the end of Lent and Easter Sunday. Holy Week is the week leading up to Easter and is celebrated by Christians throughout the world. Both Protestants and Catholics observe these holy days with awe and reference in preparation for the celebration of Easter Sunday. This year the Holy week begins on 25th March.
And since we live in an era where customs and traditions have faded and tend to lose their meaning, it’s good to remind ourselves that, concluding the spiritual preparation of Lent, Holy Week is the annual commemoration of the Passion of Christ. It’s not just another religious tradition. It is not just the celebration of the fact that the Son of God suffered and died, but it is the recognition, honoring His sacrifice, accompanying Him spiritually and physically, as if are with Him, two thousand years ago.
In other words, Holy Week is when Christians observe the anniversary of the last days of Jesus’ life on earth—His passion, death, and resurrection—with a special love and gratitude that involves meditating in a deeper way on the great price He paid for our sins.
Holy Week is marked by remembering the life and death of Jesus Christ. There are four main days during the week that mark the last week of Jesus’ life here on Earth, culminating on Easter Sunday.
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday is observed on the Sunday before Easter and marks the beginning of Holy Week. Christians throughout the world gather together at churches to worship and celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.
Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter that begins the Holy Week. It is the day that we remember and celebrate the day Jesus entered into Jerusalem as Savior and King. As Jesus rode a donkey into the town of Jerusalem a large crowd gathered and laid palm branches and their cloaks across the road, giving Jesus royal treatment. The hundreds of people shouted “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
Many churches have a processional throughout the church. Join in the processional as it weaves its way through the church building and invites the congregation to join in. Wave the palm branches given to you as you enter the church. At home make the palm branch into a cross with your children as a remembrance of Holy Week.
Holy Thursday
Maundy Thursday is celebrated by either attending church or gathering with other Christians to enjoy a Passover meal. The focus of Holy Thursday is the last meal (last supper) that Jesus shared with his disciples before his death. Since Jesus was born Jewish, the meal that he shared would have been the Passover meal. Christians believe communion was instituted at the last supper. Join in receiving communion with fellow believers. During this meal, Jesus washed the feet of his followers. Partake in the reenactment of this practice and wash the feet of fellow members of a congregation or at home with your family.
This period (‘The Triduum’) is one big celebration, remembering the last supper, the crucifixion and the death of Jesus, and the Resurrection to new life. Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles. On this day, Christians remember the Last Supper.
Good Friday
Good Friday is a Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. It is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday, and may coincide with the Jewish observance of Passover. Commemorate Jesus’ arrest, trial, crucifixion and death. The most important events in Christianity are the death and later resurrection of Jesus Christ, who Christians believe is the Son of God, and whose life and teachings are the foundation of Christianity.
Holy Saturday
Holy Saturday is the Saturday after Good Friday which is often, but wrongly, called Easter Saturday. The Easter vigil service is the first Easter service, and takes place on the night of Holy Saturday.
The idea behind the service is for faithful Christians to wait and watch, hopeful and confident that Christ will return at midnight. The Easter, or Paschal, candle is lit during this service. The service traditionally begins outside the church, where minister and some worshippers gather around a fire – a charcoal brazier is common.
What Jesus accomplished by dying on the cross. Read the four gospel accounts of Jesus’ last days on earth in the bible. Wait in anticipation for Resurrection morning.
Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday is the culmination of Holy Week. Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is the most important Christian festival, and the one celebrated with the greatest joy. The date of Easter changes each year, and several other Christian festivals fix their dates by reference to Easter.
Choose to attend a sunrise service to watch the new day begin or attend church with other Christians. Celebrate with family and friends by sharing an Easter meal.
