Palm Sunday on Sunday, April 13 marked the beginning of Holy Week.
The week is the most sacred week in the Christian liturgical year, commemorating the final days and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It’s celebrated by more than 2 billion Christians around the world, according to the Salvation Army.
“It is a time Christians remember Jesus Christ’s death by crucifixion, his resurrection, and his victory over death and sin,” according to Franciscan Friars.
The week begins with Palm Sunday and ends with Easter Sunday, with all of the events observed during Holy Week recounting the events leading up to Jesus’s crucifixion and resurrection.
Here are the key days associated with Holy Week, which is celebrated differently by various denominations around the world.
What is Palm Sunday?
Palm Sunday celebrates the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. He was greeted by crowds waving palm branches and yelling “hosanna,” which means please save us, according to christianity.com.
“They thought Jesus was coming as a king to overthrow Roman imperialism and had not yet understood that God’s plan was to establish an eternal kingdom to save all people,” according to the Salvation Army.
Palm Sunday ceremonies vary by denomination.
What is Holy Monday and Holy Tuesday?
These days often focus on such events as the cleansing of the temple and Jesus’ parables, among them one about a fig tree and another targeting religious leaders.
It is during this time Jesus warned “that if we do not forgive, neither will God forgive us,” according to christianity.com.
What is Holy Wednesday, or Spy Wednesday?
“Holy Wednesday, also known as Spy Wednesday in the Roman Catholic tradition, marks the plot by Judas, who was one of Jesus’ 12 close followers, to betray Jesus to the religious authorities.”
What is Maundy Thursday?
Maundy Thursday, also called Holy Thursday, is sometimes known as the Last Supper.
It commemorates the final meal Jesus ate with his closest disciples — to celebrate the Passover — and his arrest.
During the meal, Jesus washed his disciples’ feet and commanded them, “Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.”
After the Passover meal, Judas betrayed Jesus to the religious leaders, for 30 pieces of silver. Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane to be handed over to the Roman authorities to be killed.
Many churches hold a communion service to observe Maundy Thursday. During the service, participants are encouraged to take the eucharist, the bread and wine which symbolize Jesus’ body and blood.
What is Good Friday?
Good Friday commemorates Jesus’ trial, crucifixion and burial.
What is Holy Saturday?
Holy Saturday, also known as Black Saturday, Great Sabbath, Easter Eve, Joyous Saturday, “marks a day of anticipation, meditation and reflection, and for some, preparations for Easter Sunday celebrations. It also marks the end of Lent (fasting) that many undertake in the leadup to Easter,” according to the Salvation Army.
What is Easter Sunday all about?
Easter Sunday celebrates Jesus’ resurrection and victory over death. The New Testament describes it as the third day after Christ was crucified and when he resurrected himself from the dead.
“On this day, Christians in many cultures happily greet each other with phrases such as ‘Christ is risen.’ Others respond with ‘He is risen indeed.‘ It is a day of hope, thankfulness and joy — and a day that billions around the world celebrate.”
When is Easter 2025?
Easter will be celebrated Sunday, April 20, this year. The day is never the same from one year to the next.
Easter comes on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox, which was on March 20 this year.
“Easter Sunday always occurs on the first Sunday after the paschal full moon, which is the first full moon that occurs on or after the March or spring equinox,” according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
The 2025 spring equinox fell on March 20 this year, and April 13, based on the UTC time, is the first full moon since the equinox, making April 20 the date to celebrate Easter.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Holy Week varies by denomination. Palm Sunday, Easter, Maundy Thursday