Sunday, April 05, 2009

The Last Sunday Before Easter

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday ranks as one of Christianity's holiest days, second only to Christmas and Easter. Palm Sunday falls on the last Sunday of Lent (the Sunday before Easter) and marks the beginning of Holy Week.

The History of Palm Sunday
First known as the Pascha (Passover), the meaning of Palm Sunday can be understood by looking at the history of the Christian church. Palm Sunday originated in the Jerusalem Church, around the late fourth century. The ceremony consisted of prayers, hymns, and sermons recited by the clergy while the people moved among various holy sites throughout the city. At the last site, where Christ ascended into heaven, the clergy would read from the gospels concerning the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. In the early evening they would return to the city reciting: "Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord." The children would carry palm and olive branches as the people returned through the city to the church, where they would hold evening services.

By the fifth century, the Palm Sunday celebration had spread as far as Constantinople. Changes made in the sixth and seventh centuries resulted in two new Palm Sunday traditions - the ritual blessing of the palms, and a morning procession instead of an evening one. Adopted by the Western Church in the eighth century, the celebration received the name "Dominica in Palmis," or "Palm Sunday".

The Meaning of Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday commemorates the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. The gospels record the arrival of Jesus riding into the city on a donkey, while the crowds spread their cloaks and palm branches on the street and shouted "Hosanna to the Son of David" and "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord" to honor him as their long-awaited Messiah and King.

The significance of Jesus riding a donkey and having his way paved with palm branches is a fulfillment of a prophecy spoken by the prophet Zechariah (Zechariah 9:9). In biblical times, the regional custom called for kings and nobles arriving in procession to ride on the back of a donkey. The donkey (or domesticated ass) was a symbol of peace; those who rode upon them proclaimed peaceful intentions. The laying of palm branches indicated that the king or dignitary was arriving in victory or triumph.

Palm Sunday in Modern Times
Today, Palm Sunday traditions are much the same as they have been since the tenth century. The ceremony begins with the blessing of the palms. The procession follows, then Mass is celebrated, wherein the Passion and the Benediction are sung. Afterwards, many people take the palms home and place them in houses, barns, and fields.

In some countries, palms are placed on the graves of the departed. In colder northern climates, where palm trees are not found, branches of yew, willow, and sallow trees are used. The palms blessed in the ceremony are burned at the end of the day. The ashes are then preserved for next year's Ash Wednesday celebration.

In the simplest of terms, Palm Sunday is an occasion for reflecting on the final week of Jesus' life. It is a time for Christians to prepare their hearts for the agony of His Passion and the joy of His Resurrection.


7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Interesting post. I only read one or two like it this morning. And those were not so detailed.

Reader Wil said...

We also celebrated Palm Sunday this morning in church. The children, who went to their own service while we were having a sermon, came back carrying crosses decorated with a bun in the shape of a rooster, and flowers and sweets.
I hope you had a nice Sunday too!

DeniseinVA said...

Lovely post Patty with lots of interesting info. Thank you :)

Winifred said...

Thanks for this Patty. We got our palms today too. Just hope the weather is as nice on Easter Day.

Renie Burghardt said...

Very interesting history of Palm Sunday. We had a beautiful day for it here. And we had the blessing of the palms, and the procession into the church. That reminds me that my palm is still in the car!

After church we went out to lunch and Greg joined us. I think he enjoyed being the center of attention of several ladies at the lunch, being the only male there. lol.

Hope you don't get any bad storms, Patty. We will get chilly tonight, but no storms in the forecast.

Stay safe and have a nice evening.

Renie

Femin Susan said...

according to my custom there is no ash Wednesday.these palm leaves are burned on Christmas. the ash is not used for anything.but the palms taken to homes must be preserved carefully
cheers!!!

Margaret Cloud said...

This was an interesting read, I never knew these facts, thank you for sharing, have a nice week.