The Church celebrates Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem
Christians recall Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem and prepare for the beginning of Holy Week.
On April 5, 2026, Orthodox Christians are celebrating one of the Twelve Great Feasts – the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem. This feast precedes Holy Week.
The feast was established in remembrance of the events described in all four Gospels. According to Scripture, Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem on a young donkey a few days before His Passion, thus fulfilling the ancient prophecy of Zechariah. The people, having learned of the miracle of the raising of the righteous Lazarus, welcomed the Savior with special enthusiasm and joy.
People spread their garments on the road before Jesus and waved palm branches. The inhabitants of the city cried out, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord!” The exclamation “Hosanna” literally means both a plea for salvation and rejoicing.
Yet the joy of the Jews was rooted in a tragic misunderstanding. Many saw in Christ an earthly king who would free the people from Roman occupation and restore the might of Israel. The Lord, however, came not for political victories, but for the salvation of humanity through His sufferings and Resurrection. Those same people, only a few days later, began demanding from Pilate that He be crucified.
In northern countries, palm branches were replaced with willow branches, which are the first to bloom at this time of year. The faithful bring them to churches for blessing and keep them at home throughout the year as a holy object. At the liturgy on this day, priests celebrate solemn services and sprinkle the branches with holy water.
Despite the Lenten season, the Church Typikon permits Christians to eat fish on the feast of Palm Sunday. Beginning the very next day is Holy Week – the time of the strictest fast and the remembrance of the final days of the Lord’s earthly life.
