Palm Sunday
The triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, the beginning of Holy Week.
Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter, so it moves with the Easter date. In Western churches it falls between March 15 and April 18; in Orthodox churches it is the Sunday before Orthodox Easter and is often later.
When Is Palm Sunday?
Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter, so it moves with the Easter date. In Western churches it falls between March 15 and April 18; in Orthodox churches it is the Sunday before Orthodox Easter and is often later.
Because the Gregorian date changes from year to year, check a calendar published by the tradition or your local community for this year's date.
Why It Matters
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, commemorating Jesus's entry into Jerusalem when crowds laid palm branches before him shouting 'Hosanna!', fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah. The week leads to his crucifixion and resurrection.
How It Is Observed
Blessing and procession of palm branches, reading of the Passion narrative, special hymns. Palm fronds are woven into crosses and saved to be burned for next year's Ash Wednesday ashes.
Sacred Text
“The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, 'Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!'”
, Matthew 21:9 ↗