The 2025 Lent season is coming to a close with the start of Holy Week on Sunday.
While the lead-up to Easter might be filled with colorful eggs and tasty treats, Holy Week holds a deeply significant meaning for billions of believers worldwide. Christians of distinct denominations dedicate several days to honor the Biblical story of Jesus Christ.
What is Holy Week? What happens on the 7 days of Holy Week?
Holy Week is the most significant week in Catholicism. It starts with Palm Sunday and ends on Easter. However, there are a week’s worth of holy days within the week:
On Palm Sunday, Jesus triumphantly entered Jerusalem.
On Monday, Jesus cleared out the temple with a whip.
On Tuesday, Jesus was anointed with oil at Bethany and preached on the Mount of Olives.
On Wednesday, Jesus was betrayed by the apostle Judas.
On Holy Thursday, Jesus celebrated the Last Supper, prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, and was arrested.
On Good Friday, Jesus was sentenced to death, crucified and died on the cross.
On Holy Saturday, Jesus was buried in the tomb and descended into hell.
On Easter Sunday, Jesus rose from the dead.
Dates vary yearly based on the lunar calendar. The week’s concluding day, Easter Sunday, lands on the first Sunday following the Paschal full moon. This full moon occurs on or after the spring equinox, whose 2025 astronomical date was March 20.
Here’s the days of Holy Week and what they mean.
When is Palm Sunday?
Palm Sunday already passed on Sunday, April 13.
Palm Sunday is the first day of Holy Week and commemorates Jesus’ entry to Jerusalem.
When does Lent 2025 end?
As the Catholic Church around the world begins the penitential season of Lent, Scarlett White and others participate in Ash Wednesday service at The Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea Wednesday March 5, 2025.
Lent ends on Thursday, April 17.
In the Christian church, Lent is a period of spiritual reflection before Easter. In Western churches, it begins on Ash Wednesday, which this year was March 5.
When is Holy Thursday 2025?
Holy Thursday is on Thursday, April 17.
Holy Thursday, or Maundy Thursday, is the Thursday before Easter, observed to commemorate Jesus Christ’s institution of the Eucharist during the Last Supper.
When is Good Friday 2025?
Good Friday is on Friday, April 18.
Good Friday is when Christians annually observe the commemoration of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
When is Holy Saturday 2025?
Holy Saturday, also known as the Vigil of Easter, is on Saturday, April 19.
It is meant to commemorate the Harrowing of Hell as Jesus Christ’s body lay in the tomb.
When is Easter 2025?
This year, Easter Sunday is observed on Sunday, April 20.
The timing of the holiday varies from year to year. This year, Easter and Eastern Orthodox Easter fall on the same date, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac.
What is Easter?
Easter marks the celebration of Jesus Christ’s resurrection in the Christian religion, serving as the culmination of Holy Week, which comprises several days, each carrying significance.
Contributing: Jose R. Gonzalez, Arizona Republic
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Holy Week 2025: Here are the days, what they represent