‘Holy Week’ begins with Palm Sunday today

LUCKNOW: Christians will celebrate April 10 as Palm Sunday, which marks the beginning of the last week of Lenten season that lasts for 40 days.

Palm Sunday also marks the beginning of the ‘Holy Week’, which the church describes as the most important week for Christians.

A senior Christian of the city says: “Churches, priests and parishioners in Lucknow are preparing for the special prayers, more so in the light of the disturbing war in Ukraine.

“World over, people of all faiths are praying for end to the Ukraine war. Special occasions like Palm Sunday can be used for special favours (ending the war) from the Almighty,” he said.

On Palm Sunday, palm fronds are distributed to the faithful, who then enter the church in a procession, recreating the reception Jesus Christ got when he entered Jerusalem. While the mood is celebratory, the solemnity of the day is not lost upon the faithful with the knowledge that Christ entered Jerusalem, knowing fully what fate awaited him.

The following Thursday is called Maundy Thursday. On that day Christ commanded his followers to love one and other, and to serve his fellow men with the words, ‘What you do to the least of my brethren, you do unto me’. And leading by example, he washed the feet of his 12 disciples, before they sat down for The Last Supper. And on that day, it is not uncommon to find a Christian household having a feast to mark The Last Supper.

The next day is Good Friday. It is a day of fasting and mourning, and reflecting on the agony of Christ as he died on the cross “for the sins that mankind committed.”

Holy Saturday is spent in preparation for the celebrations (both spiritual and material) the next day. It is believed that Christ rose vanquishing death, sometime after midnight and before the break of dawn.

The next day is Easter Sunday, a time for celebrating and feasting, after the long days of fasting.