Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday History

Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem, a week before his crucifixion. Key elements of the observance include the blessing and distribution of palm branches, symbolising the fronds that were laid out to welcome Christ into the city. In many Christian traditions, Palm Sunday also marks the beginning of Holy Week, a time of reflection and anticipation leading up to Easter Sunday.

The tradition of Palm Sunday extends all the way back to the earliest days of Christianity. In the United Kingdom, it has been a part of religious culture since at least the Anglo-Saxon period, with references in texts and works of art from this era. In recent years, Palm Sunday has taken on a broad significance, providing a moment for Christians to reflect on themes of humility, service, and sacrifice, values which resonate widely within the diverse Christian communities of the UK.

In the United Kingdom, Palm Sunday is typically marked by special church services, during which parishioners often carry palm crosses. These small crosses, made of palm fronds, are blessed and then distributed. The day may also include processions, communal meals, and sometimes dramatic presentations or re-enactments of the biblical narrative. Palm Sunday typically falls on the Sunday before Easter Sunday.

Facts about Palm Sunday

• Crowds of people welcomed Jesus to Jerusalem, throwing their cloaks on his path and waving palm branches (John 12:19, Mark 11:1-11, Matthew 21:1-11). It was similar to the reception that Caesar, the emperor of Rome, would receive. Caesar was considered God amongst Romans, and this event not only underscored Jesus' divinity and kingship, it was an act of treason in Roman society.
  
• The colt that Jesus rode on into Jerusalem (Luke 19:28-44) was said to fulfill prophecy from the Old Testament about the Messiah, the savior of Israel. The Old Testament scripture he fulfilled is Zechariah 9:9: Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
• Palm Sunday is celebrated in virtually every Christian church. It marks Jesus' final entry into Jerusalem before he was persecuted, crucified, and resurrected. The observation occurs toward the end of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting and preparation meant to create reflection on Christ's suffering. Palm Sunday is traditionally the beginning of Holy Week, which includes Holy Thursday and Good Friday services, as well as Easter Vigil services on Saturday and Easter Sunday.
• This city in the UK has the unique tradition of performing the "Pace Egg Play" during Holy Week, started on Palm Sunday. This play is a traditional English folk play and involves Saint George, Bold Slasher, the King of Egypt, and other eccentric characters.
• The English village of Biddenden in Kent holds a special Service of the Chalk, where participants mark a chalk figure of Christ on the ground, this practice originates from ancient soil fertility rituals but is now part of their Palm Sunday tradition.

In the News and Trending in the UK for Palm Sunday

Top things to do in the UK for Palm Sunday

• Offer somebody a palm as an act of reconciliation or forgiveness. It is a common tradition among many Italian Catholics.
• Visit the Westminster Abbey: England's oldest and most prestigious religious building hosts spectacular Palm Sunday services each year with a procession, sermon, and Holy Communion.
• Attend the Palm Sunday Procession in Brighton: Every year churches across Brighton & Hove come together to take part in this procession. This event features music, and bears crosses, to symbolise Jesus's journey on palm Sunday.