The next day a great crowd who had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel!” And Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it; as it is written, “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!”
(John 12:12-15)
On the Sunday before Great and Holy Pascha, the Orthodox Church observes Palm Sunday, commemorating Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem after raising Lazarus from the dead. The people went out to honor Him with shouts of praise, waving palm branches. On this day, we also receive and worship Him as our King and Lord. This Sunday marks our entry into the final week of Christ’s Passion and bright Resurrection.
