MAIN Holidays & Observances Easter Palm Sunday

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)

Traditionally, Palm Sunday occurs between March 15 and April 18. It is the Sunday before Easter, and begins the Christian commemoration of Holy Week.

On Palm Sunday Jesus entered the Holy City of Jerusalem surrounded by a crowd of followers. The palms disbursed by many churches signify the branches that were spread in on the road as Jesus approached.

This last Sunday of Lent is also called Passion Sunday. The Biblical accounts of the last days of Christ's life all agree that as he returned to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover with his followers, the crowds who were eager to proclaim him the Messiah, "Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord." (John 12:13)

Palm Sunday traditions

Today, Christian churches traditionally hold services on Palm Sunday and leaves of palm, often shaped into crosses to symbolize Jesus' last hours on the cross, are given to the congregation. These palm fronds are also used in palm weaving which produce beautiful woven symbols from the palms to hang in the Christian home during the year.

In churches that observe Ash Wednesday by giving ashes to their members, these palms are burnt for use in this symbolic ceremony. In Eastern Orthodox churches the leaves of the bay or laurel tree are distributed and used in cooking during the year.

In many areas there are procession with the palm fronds to commemorate the journey of Christ. In Spain Domingo de Ramos, Palm Sunday, signals the beginning of Semana Santa, or Holy Week. Processions and other public celebrations continue until Lunes de Pascua, the Monday after Easter.

In some Catholic parishes in the Philippines, a priest rides a horse and is surrounded by the congregation, bearing palms in reenactment of Jesus' triumphal entry.

Palm Sunday foods and recipes

In Great Britain, traditional foods served on Palm Sunday include fig pudding because Jesus is said to have eaten figs on his entry into the city of Jerusalem. In Wales, the day is known as Sul y Blodau or Flowering Sunday because of the association with the flowering of the fig tree. Making split pea soup is another tradition still observed in Northern England and Scotland, derived from the ancient practice of wearing a hard pea in the shoe as penance during Lent.

In other areas of the UK, pax cakes - along with best wishes for peace and brotherhood - are given out to congregations after Palm Sunday services in a custom said to date back to the 1500's.

In the Greek tradition, Lenten fast is broken with a fish dinner on Palm Sunday featuring bakaliaros or salt cod. In some parts of Italy, homemade fettuccini pasta topped with tomato sauce, bread crumbs and chopped nuts is the customary Palm Sunday dish.

More modern interpretations of appropriate foods to be eaten on Palm Sunday include hearts of palm featured in salads and side dishes to observe the day.

More information on Palm Sunday around the Web:

BBC Religion & Ethics - Holy Week & Palm Sunday - Part of a Holy Week overview with a calendar to find out when this year's observance falls, information on the day's symbolism, and traditional Palm Sunday church services.

Palm Sunday - Wikipedia - Extensive entry on the day's symbolism, customs, and liturgical observances with color illustrations, related references and resources.

Political History of Palm Sunday - How Jesus and the events of Palm Sunday threatened the political status quo and set a collision course with religious and political authorities.

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