Did you know? (Sunday, April 2, 2023)

Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, a Christian holiday that commemorates Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem as people laid palm branches on the ground to welcome him, according to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. This tradition has been observed since the fourth century, when pilgrims to Jerusalem brought palm branches back to their churches. Over time, the use of palm branches spread throughout the Christian world, becoming an important symbol of Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, as well as a symbol of peace and victory over death. Today, palm branches are blessed, distributed, and waved during Palm Sunday services, reminding believers of the joy and hope that Christ’s resurrection brings.