MAIN Holidays & Observances Easter Holy Week

HOLY WEEK TIMELINE IN IMAGES - Left to right: the entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday by Giotto; Holy Thursday gathering at 'The Last Supper" by Leonardo da Vinci; Good Friday "The Crucifixion" by Simon Vouet; Holy Saturday "Entombment of Christ" by Titian; and Easter Sunday "The Resurrection of Christ" by Noel Coypel.

On the Christian calendar, Holy Week marks the end of the Lenten season, with preparations being made for the joyous celebration of the Resurrection on the Easter.

Beginning with Palm Sunday, each day leading up to Easter symbolizes special meaning to Christians.

On Good Friday, hot cross buns symbolzie Christ's crucificion.

The most important of these begins with Maundy Thursday - or Holy Thursday - observed because that was the day in which Christ gathered with his followers for the Passover Seder.To Christians, this is the "Last Supper," where Christ instituted the Christian concept of sharing communion.

Following the Last Supper, Christ endured the "Agony in the Garden" in which he doubted his resolve to face his crucifixion. The events of this dramatic day led ultimately to Christ's betrayal for "40 pieces of silver" at the hands of one of his own followers, Judas Iscariot

Good Friday, one of the most somber days in the Christian calendar, marks the day of Christ's crucifixion. Today, many Christians observe the hours between noon and 3 PM with silence, prayer and meditation on the Passion of Christ, and it is a Roman Catholic tradition to visit three different churches during this time and to pray the "Stations of the Cross" at each church.

Top Ten Movies for Easter & Holy Week

Holy Saturday commemorates the day Christ remained buried in a tomb, the darkest day for early Christians. Since Jewish law would not allow any of the preparations for burial to be carried out on the Sabbath, the tomb was closed to keep the body safe until the mourners returned on Sunday.

When Christ's mother Mary returned to the tomb in the morning to prepare the body of Christ for burial, the tomb was open and an angel proclaimed that Christ had been miraculously resurrected!

Easter Sunday is the celebration of the joyous news of Christ's triumphant victory over death.

In Spain, Mexico and many other Latin countries, Semana Santa - Holy Week - is a time of processions, candlelit services and religious traditions. Around the world, special foods are served based on the traditional Lenten meatless fast, and festivities are held throughout the entire week in preparation for Easter Sunday.

More about Holy Week around the Web:

On Line Resources for Holy Week

Clip Art for Holy Week

The Orthodox Christian Holy Week

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