Palm sunday 2019: what is palm sunday and why do we celebrate it?

Palm Sunday marks the start of Holy Week and is one of the most important feast days for Christians around the world. This year’s festival falls on Sunday, April 14, but the dates change

every year in line with Easter, also a moveable commemoration. Palm Sunday marks the arrival of Jesus into Jerusalem on a donkey. According to John, his celebrated entrance happened after he

performed the miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead. All four Gospels in the Bible mention the messiah’s triumphant march flagged by people waving giant palm leaves. The Gospel of John

described it in the Bible as follows: They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, ‘Hosanna!’ ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ‘Blessed is the King of

Israel!’ John 12:12-13 Just a few days later, Jesus would be mocked and subjected to death by the same people praising his name. HOW IS PALM SUNDAY CELEBRATED TODAY? Palm Sunday, also known

as Passion Sunday, is marked by millions of Christians attending special church services. The date marks the first day of Holy Week in the lead-up to Easter. As the final few days of Lent,

Holy Week includes Holy Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. Good Friday marks the date of Jesus’s crucifixion before he rose from the dead three days later on Easter

Sunday. Palm Sunday services vary according to the different branches of Christianity celebrated but many worshippers traditionally bless palm leaves. The ceremony will include a Gospel

reading of how Jesus entered Jerusalem followed by a formal procession of palm branches being carried into church. The plants are often burnt and kept for Ash Wednesday services for the

following year. Palm fronds are tied into tiny crosses before being blessed and turned to ashes. WHEN IS EASTER? This year, Good Friday is on April 19, while Easter Monday is on April 22.

Both dates are bank holidays in the UK.