What is Palm Sunday and how is it celebrated around the world?

Palm Sunday commemorates the Christian belief in Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, when he was greeted by cheering crowds waving palm branches, which the Bible says were laid on the ground along his path.

This yr, Palm Sunday falls on March 24. Also referred to as Passion Sunday, it begins Holy Week. The holiest week of the Christian yr includes Good Friday, which recreates the story of Jesus’ crucifixion and death and the belief in His resurrection at Easter.

Here’s a fast take a look at the meaning of Palm Sunday.

Is there a donkey on this story?

Yes.

The procession of Jesus to Jerusalem is described by 4 evangelists in the Bible.

The Gospels differ from one another, but based on the opinion of 1 expert, they agree on this: Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey – that is, a colt. So which one is it?

A colt is defined as “a young male horse that is not usually castrated.” But in the Bible word for “colt” it is used almost exclusively on young donkeys, not horses, writes Joanne M. PierceProfessor Emeritus of Religious Studies at the College of the Holy Cross.

Pierce writes that this brings to mind a reference in the Book of Zechariah in Jewish writings, where the prophet describes a victorious king riding into Jerusalem on a donkey.

In Judaism – he says – a fraction from Zechariah refers to the Messiaha spiritual king who will redeem Israel peacefully, and donkey is interpreted as sign of humility.

“In Christianity it’s an animal becomes almost a symbol of Christ himself, given how patiently he suffers and bears the burdens of others.” Pierce writes in an article published by The Conversation. “On the other hand, horses are associated with royalty, power and war.”

What about palm trees?

In the biblical story of Palm Sunday, a cheering crowd greeted Jesus along the road. Some spread their garments on the ground; others dropped leafy branches they’d cut from the fields. In the Gospel of John, these are palm branches, a tree that it symbolized victory and triumph.

In Matthew’s Gospel, people began to cry out, “Hosanna to the son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” The word “Hosanna” was a request for salvation and a cry of praise.

The Bible says that after the procession, Jesus entered Jerusalem and entered the temple.

How is Palm Sunday celebrated?

The ritual or liturgy often begins with the blessing of palms by the clergy. Then the Passion of the Lord is read, i.e. an outline of the last events in the lifetime of Jesus.

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Some ceremonies in German-speaking countries included a statue of Jesus riding a donkey, Encyclopedia Britannica states. The character is called “Palm seal” or in German “palm donkey” – says the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art, which on its website describes how the faithful placed their hands on the ground in front of Palmesel during vigorous processions.

Christian pilgrims arriving in the Holy Land commemorate Palm Sunday by celebrating masses. and processions commemorating Jesus’ triumphal entry. Worshipers carry palm fronds and olive branches and march from the top of the neighboring Mount of Olives to the historic Old City of Jerusalem, home to the holy sites of the three Abrahamic monotheistic faiths.

In churches around the world, palms are sometimes taken home by worshipers, and some turn to ash.

How do palm trees turn to ash?

Ashes might be purchased, but some churches produce them themselves by burning palm trees from previous years.

They are used to organize the ashes for Ash Wednesday, a solemn day of fasting and reflection that signals the starting of Christianity’s most penitential period.