Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday opens Holy Week, the most sacred seven days in the Christian calendar. On this day, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah that the king would come 'gentle and riding on a donkey.' The crowds spread palm branches and their cloaks on the road, shouting 'Hosanna' a word meaning 'save us.' The mood is triumphant, even jubilant. Yet within a week, the same crowds would call for his crucifixion. Palm Sunday holds the tension that defines Christian faith: glory and suffering, triumph and sacrifice, the king who comes not to conquer by force but to give his life as a ransom for many.

Matthew 21:9

“The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, 'Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!'”

Palm Sunday services often begin with a procession, with congregants carrying palm fronds or crosses made of palm. The Passion narrative, the full account of Jesus's arrest, trial, and crucifixion, is typically read aloud during the service, often with different voices taking different parts. Palm branches distributed at the service are sometimes kept by families throughout the year, and many churches burn these palms to create the ashes used on the following year's Ash Wednesday.

Palm Sunday is one thread in the wider rhythm of the church year. See how it sits alongside the other feasts on the full Christian holiday calendar, or read more about Reformation Day and Christ the King. To understand how these observances shaped the nation, visit our Faith & America hub, and keep the Christian glossary close for any unfamiliar terms.