April 5 is Palm Sunday, the most important holiday: history, traditions, prohibitions

Every year, a week before Easter, Orthodox believers celebrate Palm Sunday, one of the main spring holidays of the church calendar. It commemorates the solemn entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, and in the Russian tradition is inextricably linked with the branches of the willow. ​In 2026, the date falls on April 5th. What is its history, why in Russia the willow tree became the symbol of this date, and also what is strictly forbidden to do on this day, read the Izvestia article.

Palm Sunday – 2026: the history of the holiday

The official church name of the holiday is the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem. It belongs to the number of the twelve and depends on the date of Easter. It is celebrated exactly one week before the Resurrection of Christ, on the sixth Sunday of Great Lent.

The event of the feast is described in detail by all four evangelists. According to the Gospel, Jesus entered Jerusalem before the Jewish Passover. The townspeople greeted Him like a King, covered the way with robes and palm branches, and greeted Him with shouts of "Hosanna." At the same time, Christ rode into the city not on a horse, which in the ancient world represented strength and authority, but on a young donkey, a symbol of peace, humility and fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.

The Gospel episode has a second, deeper meaning. The solemn meeting in Jerusalem was not only a sign of national recognition, but also a prologue to Holy Week. The Church remembers this day as a moment of special concentration of two themes — glory and future suffering. Palm Sunday in the Orthodox tradition already refers to Easter, but it takes place in anticipation of the sacrifice of the Cross.

One of the ancient names of the celebration is the Week of Saints. It is connected with the Greek word for palm branches, with which the people greeted the Savior. Church historians note that the holiday spread back to the early Christian era, in the III–IV centuries.

In Russia, it was established after Baptism, but palm branches, natural to the biblical East, were inaccessible in a cold climate. They were replaced by willow (as some willow species are popularly called), which is the first to wake up in spring and bloom even before the foliage appears. That is why the feast of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem received a second name in everyday life — Palm Sunday.

Willow has several meanings associated with it. This is spiritual renewal, the triumph of life over death, and the willingness of the believer to follow Christ. In the church's understanding, branches in the hands of worshippers are evidence that they meet the Savior not only as a historical figure, but also as the Lord of their lives.

Palm Week in 2026: traditions and the spiritual meaning of the 6th week of Great Lent

At this time, believers celebrate Lazarus Saturday and Palm Sunday.

Traditions of the church holiday on April 5 — when and why to sanctify willow in the church

The consecration of the willow is performed on the eve of the holiday and on the day of the celebration itself. In 2026, the branches will be blessed on Saturday evening, April 4, during the all-night vigil, and then on the morning of April 5, before the Divine Liturgy. If a person cannot get to the temple for a valid reason, in Orthodox practice it is allowed to sprinkle the branches with holy water at home and pray.

After consecration, the willow is brought home and stored for a year. It is usually placed in a vase, next to the icons, in the red corner or in another place of honor. It is also often given to relatives and friends. Last year's branches are not thrown away. They are either burned or taken to the temple.

There is a folk custom associated with willow — they lightly knock their relatives with twigs, wish them health and say: "I don't beat them, the willow beats them, it's a great day in a week." In the old days, peasants carried last year's branches to the field, planted them in seed or left them in outbuildings in the hope of a successful season.

Palm Sunday traditionally falls on Lent, but fish, fir, and a little wine are allowed on this day. It is customary to spend the holiday calmly, without unnecessary fuss, with family, attending services, praying and preparing for Holy Week.

Palm Sunday - 2026: what not to do

Palm Sunday is a day that combines solemnity and restraint, it reminds of the approach of Easter and its deep meaning. Therefore, there are a number of restrictions associated with the holiday, the purpose of which is to help believers find inner peace before Holy Week.

The Church calls for inner concentration on this day. However, the meaning of the holiday is not in everyday taboos, but in prayer and attention to the spiritual side. You should not spend it in a fuss, arrange noisy feasts and parties.

Palm Sunday: the main meaning of the holiday, which is forgotten

In 2026, the Lord's Entry into Jerusalem will be celebrated on April 5.

What else is forbidden to do on April 5th:

• to arrange general cleaning, repairs, and hard physical labor if there is no urgent need for it — such things contradict the meaning of the holiday.;
• to quarrel, be rude and sort things out — it is customary to spend the day in peace, without irritation, resentment and harsh words;
• to allow envy and condemnation — the church tradition calls for celebrating the holiday with pure thoughts and peace of mind.;
• to turn a consecrated willow into an object of superstition, a "magical" object — in the Orthodox tradition, this is not a talisman, but a memory of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem.;
• to abuse food and alcohol — despite the relaxation of fasting, the meaning of the holiday is not in the feast, but in prayer and inner concentration.

The Church reminds us that household chores on Palm Sunday are acceptable after participating in the divine service, if they are really necessary and do not replace the very meaning of the day. This is not about a mechanical ban on washing, haircuts, laundry, cooking or cleaning, but about prioritization.

The Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem – 2026: folk signs on April 5

The ancestors also had many weather signs associated with Palm Sunday. They were used primarily to judge the future harvest and the nature of the upcoming season.

• clear and sunny weather on a holiday — the year will be favorable and fruitful;
• if it rains or snows, there will be an abundance of grain in autumn, especially wheat;
• The willow has completely blossomed — the cold will not return.;
• A bright red sunset leads to rain;
• a dry and cloudless day leads to crop failure;
• strong wind — the summer will be cool.

Earlier, Izvestia told when to bake cakes and paint eggs for Easter.