MAIN Holidays & Observances Easter Holy Week

Palm Sunday tradition: palm weaving.

Holy Week or Passion Week is the end of the Lenten season in the Christian community. Palm Sunday remembers the arrival of Christ in Jerusalem and each day of the week that follows has special meaning to Christians.

Holy Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are each a part of the Service of the Bridegroom. Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday was the day on which Christ gathered with his followers for the Passover Seder, the "Last Supper," where he taught for the last time and instituted the Christian concept of sharing communion.

This was followed by the "Agony in the Garden" and the betrayal of Christ by one of his followers, Judas. Good Friday marks the day of the crucifixion, Holy Saturday the day Christ remained buried in the tomb and Easter, the holiest day of the Christian liturgical year, marks the Resurrection of Christ.

Although Passover and Holy Week do not always occur at the same time, the two are tied together. It is believed that the reason Jesus returned to Jerusalem, despite warnings that he would be arrested, was to have the Seder, prescribed by religious law and tradition, in the Holy City. At Passover the paschal lambs were sacrificed so that the Angel of Death would "pass over" the Israelites.

The week following Palm Sunday — Holy Week — marks the time that Christians throughout the world remember the sacrifice and passion of Christ... the lamb of God who was sacrificed to save humanity. It is a preparation for the joyous celebration of the Resurrection on the Easter.

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

Palm Sunday - The last Sunday before Easter. Many churches distribute palm to the congregation to symbolize the palm fronds placed on the road as Christ entered Jerusalem.

Holy Monday - The theme of Monday is the creation of heaven and earth and the bridge that Jesus forms between the two. Adam and Eve were cast from Paradise because of sin and Christ came to the world to redeem the human race from the effects of that error by offering His suffering as atonement for all sins. The image is that of the old, barren fig tree (Matthew 21: 18-20) that bore no fruit. Renewal and change is the focus. In the teachings of Christ, Christians can find renewal to change from the old earthly ways of sin and guide their lives into more divine paths.

Holy Tuesday - The theme is the vigilance of the wise virgins (Matthew 25: 1-13) who, unlike their foolish sisters, were ready when the Lord came to them.

Holy Wednesday - The focus is on the myhrr bearing harlot (Matthew 26: 6-13), the sinful woman who repents and is saved. Many services compare the woman to Judas. Judas was an apostle of Christ. The woman gives her faith and worldly goods to Christ and is saved...the other betrays Jesus, and his faith, with a kiss in return for gold and is lost.

Maundy Thursday, or Holy Thursday - The word ‘Maundy’ comes from the Latin phrase mandatum novum do vobis meaning "a new commandment I give you’. It is from the writings of John. "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, you also ought to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35)

Holy or Maundy Thursday is the beginning of the three days known as the sacrum triduum - the Sacred or Holy Three Days. On Maundy Thursday Christ and the Apostles met for the Last Supper which was probably a Passover Seder. It was at this that meal the first Eucharist or Communion was shared and the betrayal by Judas was acknowledged during the discussion with Jesus at the meal. After the supper Jesus prayed in the Garden at Gethsemane while the disciples fell asleep. The day ends with Christ being arrested and brought before the judges to be condemned to die.

Good Friday - Good Friday marks the day of the Crucifixion of Christ. Many Christians observe the hours between noon and 3 PM with silence, prayer and meditation on the Passion of Christ. It is a common practice to visit three different churches during this time and pray the "Stations of the Cross" at each church.

Holy Saturday - Christ was put in the Tomb after sundown on Good Friday. This was technically the Sabbath which starts at sundown on Friday and ends at sundown on Saturday. Since Jewish law would not allow any of the preparations for burial to be carried out on the holy day, the tomb was closed to keep the body safe until the mourners returned on Sunday morning.

Easter Sunday - When the Marys returned to the tomb to prepare the body of Christ for burial, they found the tomb open and an angel proclaimed that Christ had risen from the dead. Easter is the celebration of this joyous news.

Easter Monday - Easter Monday is the day after Easter. It is a National Holiday in most countries although in the United States only one state, North Carolina, recognizes the holiday.

They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 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! Hosanna in the highest!" (Matthew 21:7-9)

Related Links of Interest Around the Web:

On Line Resources for Holy Week

Easter in Mexico - Semana Santa and Pascua - Holy Week

Clip Art 1 for Holy Week

The Orthodox Christian Holy Week

Lent and Holy Week in Antigua

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