Palm Sunday By Amber and Lucy

What is Palm Sunday? Palm Sunday is the final Sunday of Lent and the beginning of Holy Week. It commemorates Jesus' entry into Jerusalem It remembers Jesus riding in on a donkey into the city (which symbolised him being a king.) When Jesus entered the city crowds welcomed him shouting 'hosanna' which means save now, they were also waving palm branches which symbolises victory. This was as they thought it was someone to take on the powers of those ruling Jerusalem. Bible Quote John12: 13 They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna![a]” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”[b] “Blessed is the king of Israel!”

How is it celebrated/remembered? In many churches in the U.K. will have special services to celebrate Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. Often small crosses made out of palm leaves are given out, the crosses are used as reminders of the palms that people waved as Jesus entered Jerusalem and of his death on the cross in the same week (the priests or ministers bless these palms, which are also used to make the Ash Wednesday ashes for the next year) This year it's on the 9th April

Palm crosses Palm branches are a symbol of peace and victory, hence their preferred use on Palm Sunday. The crosses are waved as a sign of victory and they are kept at homes as a daily reminder of Christ's victory. Ash Wednesday crosses from the previous year are burnt and used for the ashes. Bible quote Revelation 7:9 After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation... They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.

Why is it celebrated? Palm Sunday also known as passion Sunday is the start of Holy Week, the week before Easter which commemorates the events in the last days of Jesus' life such as; the last supper, Silent Wednesday, Good Friday (crucifixion), Saturday in the tomb and resurrection on Sunday. Palm Sunday celebrates the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem this is a week before his death and resurrection. The palm branches symbolise goodness and victory.

Why is it important? Palm Sunday is a time for Christians to reflect on there own faithfulness to Jesus, this is because the crowds on Palm Sunday which welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem turned out to be hypocrites. They welcomed him into Jerusalem but then days later they were calling for his death Christians often consider how they have responded when remaining true to there faith may have been proven difficult

Different denominations Almost all denominations celebrate/observe Palm Sunday as it marks the start of Holy Week. However some Christian denominations do not celebrate/observe it as there is no biblical requirement to observe Palm Sunday and some churches just may not follow the liturgical calendar. Example of churches that don't celebrate Palm Sunday include The Assemblies of God and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Video This video is made by the Catholic denomination. https://youtu.be/SoujG6h7UGI Remember video is a Catholic one, the practices are main catholic

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