Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of our observance of Holy Week. The Sunday before Easter, also known as the Sunday of the Passion, recalls Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem and his Passion on the cross. People wave palm branches in their hands during the procession to help recreate the joyful reception Jesus received in Jerusalem. After the remembrance of Jesus’ triumphal entry, the service changes focus to the solemnity of the Passion. The Passion gospel is read by several people with the congregation taking the part of the crowd. It is customary to observe a brief time of silence when the moment of Jesus’ death is described by the narrator.