Palm Sunday: the main meaning of the holiday, which is forgotten
Palm Sunday, or the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, is an Orthodox holiday dedicated to the solemn arrival of Christ in Jerusalem shortly before the sufferings of the cross. It is celebrated a week before Easter and opens Holy Week. In 2026, Palm Sunday falls on April 5th. Read about the biblical history and the spiritual meaning of the holiday in the Izvestia article.
What is Palm Sunday in 2026?
In 2026, Orthodox Christians will celebrate Palm Sunday on April 5. This is a transitional holiday, the date of which directly depends on the day of Easter celebration. Palm Sunday always comes a week before the Bright Resurrection of Christ, on the sixth Sunday of Great Lent. It is followed by Holy Week, the last week before Easter.
What kind of holiday is Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday is the popular name for an important church celebration. The official name of the holiday is the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem. In Orthodoxy, it is one of the twelve great feasts — the 12 most important after Easter, dedicated to the key events of the earthly life of Jesus Christ and the Virgin.
This day is associated with the solemn entry of the Savior into Jerusalem, described in all four Gospels. Unlike other twelve-day feasts, the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem does not have a feast day, as it is immediately followed by Holy Week.
The Biblical Story of the Lord's Entry into Jerusalem
The entry of the Lord into Jerusalem is described in all four Gospels, and each of the narratives emphasizes its exceptional importance. This event was preceded by the miracle of Lazarus' resurrection in Bethany. The news that Jesus brought a man back to life four days after his death shocked the entire Jewish world. Many believed in the appearance of the Messiah.
Therefore, when Jesus arrived in Jerusalem, where thousands of pilgrims gathered on the eve of the Passover celebration, he was already greeted by an enthusiastic crowd. People went out of the city gates, driven not just by curiosity, but by the sincere hope that they were facing a long-awaited liberator who could rid Judea of Roman rule.
According to the gospel narrative, Christ rode into the city on a donkey, thereby fulfilling the Old Testament prophecy of Zechariah, which stated that the King of Israel would come to his people "just and saving, meek." The choice of the donkey, an animal symbolizing humility, emphasized the peaceful nature of the reign of the Son of God. He did not come for the sake of conquests, but in order to accept voluntary suffering and open the way to salvation for people. This image contrasted with the usual idea of earthly kings who entered conquered cities on horseback.
The people of Jerusalem greeted Jesus with special reverence, spreading their clothes on the road. People greeted him with exclamations of "Hosanna!", which translates to a request for salvation. In the hands of the greeters were palm branches, symbolizing the royal power. In those days, this was how rulers and triumphants were greeted in the East.
Despite the solemnity of the Lord's Entry into Jerusalem, the feast also contains the sad expectation of suffering on the cross. Just a few days later, the same crowd that greeted Christ as king with glee will shout in front of the palace of the Roman procurator Pontius Pilate.: "Crucify Him!" It happened not out of sudden hatred, but out of deep disappointment. People expected something completely different from the Messiah: they needed a strong political leader, a military commander who would lead an uprising and throw off the Roman yoke, returning Israel to its former greatness.
But Jesus did not proclaim himself an earthly king. Instead, he proclaimed the Kingdom of heaven, victory over death, and salvation not only for Jews, but for all mankind. As a result, the people who had been praising the Savior just a week ago were not ready to accept him as he really came.
The Spiritual meaning of Palm Sunday
The spiritual meaning of the holiday is multifaceted and deep. First, it is the recognition of Jesus Christ as the Messiah, whom the people of Jerusalem solemnly welcomed as the long-awaited king.
Secondly, the holiday symbolizes humility. Unlike earthly kings and generals who rode into cities on warhorses and chariots, Christ chose the donkey, an animal of peace and gentleness, showing that His Kingdom was not earthly. This emphasizes that he did not come for glory and power, but for victory over death.
Palm Sunday precedes Holy Week, so it is riddled with ambivalence. The solemn joy of the meeting is combined with a premonition of future suffering. St. Ambrose of Milan noted the connection of this day with the upcoming Passion of Christ: Jesus entered Jerusalem on the day of the election of the lamb, which then, according to Jewish tradition, was to be slaughtered on Passover.
Why do Russians use willow trees instead of palm trees?
Palm branches began to be consecrated on the day of the Lord's Entry into Jerusalem as early as the fourth century. It was during this period that the first mentions of the feast were made by Saints Ambrose of Milan and Epiphanius of Cyprus, as well as images of this event on sarcophagi. Therefore, in countries with a warm climate, the holiday is often called Palm Sunday.
In Russia, as well as in other northern countries where palm trees do not grow, the sacred plant was replaced by willow, a tree that blooms first in spring, symbolizing the awakening of life after a long winter. Hence the popular name of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem — Palm Sunday.
The first mention of the use of willow in worship in Russia is found in the Electoral College of Svyatoslav in 1073. The twigs are consecrated in the temple, they are kept throughout the year as a reminder of the meeting of the Son of God and the victory over death.
What is the correct name of the holiday?
In addition to the popular name Palm Sunday, this day has several official and historical names.
- The Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem is the main church name of the holiday, reflecting its essence.;
- Vaia Week is a name derived from the Greek tradition ("vaia" — palm branch).;
- Flower—bearing Week is a name that is also found in liturgical books.;
- Palm Sunday is a name adopted in the Catholic tradition and by many Western Christians.
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