Palm Sunday is the popular name for one of the twelve feasts of the Christian Church, known as the entry of the Lord into Jerusalem.
The date of the holiday is movable, it is connected with the main event of the church calendar, Easter, and always falls on the Sunday before it. In 2025, Armenians celebrate Palm Sunday on April 13.
On this day, willow branches are blessed and distributed along with candles to those present, in memory of the fact that they welcomed the Lord with palm branches in their hands. The softness of these branches symbolizes the humility of Christ's followers.
The meaning of the holiday is related to this: the Lord comes to Jerusalem to accept the suffering on the cross for the sins of all people. And then, according to the doctrine, to rise again, liberating all believers from death.
The event mentioned on the feast day is described in the Gospel. Jesus rode triumphantly to Jerusalem on a donkey accompanied by his disciples. At that time, the city was excited because the day before Christ had resurrected Lazarus. And he is welcomed as the messiah, the prophesied king who will deliver the Jewish people from Roman rule.
The week following Palm Sunday is called Great. Each of its days is also called great, having a conventional name, which is dedicated to one or another event of the earthly life of Christ. The last commandments, sufferings, death and resurrection of Christ are mentioned. The main rites of Holy Week begin on Maundy Thursday.
