Palm Sunday
Sunday, March 29, 2026
Palm Sunday is the sixth and final Sunday of Lent and the first day of Holy Week in the Christian calendar, commemorating Jesus Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem as described in all four canonical Gospels. According to the Gospel accounts, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey while crowds welcomed him by laying palm branches and their cloaks on the road, shouting 'Hosanna' and 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.' The use of palm branches was significant, as palms were a symbol of victory and royalty in Jewish tradition. Palm Sunday marks the beginning of the most solemn week in Christianity, leading through the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday, the crucifixion on Good Friday, and culminating in Easter Sunday. In many Christian denominations, the day is observed with the blessing and distribution of palm fronds, processions reenacting the entry into Jerusalem, and dramatic readings of the Passion narrative. The palm branches are often saved and burned to create ashes for the following year's Ash Wednesday.
History
The earliest recorded observance of Palm Sunday dates to the 4th century in Jerusalem, where pilgrims gathered on the Mount of Olives and processed to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre with palm branches. The pilgrim Egeria described this ceremony in her travel diary around 384 CE. The practice spread throughout the Christian world during the Middle Ages. In the Western church, the blessing of palms was introduced in the 8th century, and dramatic processions became common. By the 10th century, Palm Sunday was universally observed. In Eastern Orthodox tradition, the day is known as the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem and is one of the twelve Great Feasts. The historical date of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem is debated among scholars but is generally placed around 30-33 CE. The event is also mentioned by the Roman historian Tacitus, who wrote about Jesus' entry into Jerusalem and subsequent events in his Annals. The liturgy of Palm Sunday has remained remarkably consistent across denominations, preserving ancient hymns and prayers.
How It's Celebrated
Palm Sunday services typically begin with the blessing of palm fronds outside the church, followed by a procession into the sanctuary, reenacting the entry into Jerusalem. Congregants carry blessed palm branches, often woven into crosses or other shapes, and participate in hymns such as 'All Glory, Laud, and Honor.' The Gospel reading for the day includes the Passion narrative, recounting Jesus' arrest, trial, and crucifixion, introducing the solemn tone of Holy Week. In many churches, children participate in the procession carrying palms. In Orthodox traditions, the faithful hold palm and willow branches along with candles. After the service, palm branches are taken home as sacramentals, displayed near icons or crucifixes, and later burned for Ash Wednesday ashes. Some communities hold outdoor processions, weather permitting.