The name Palm Sunday comes from the custom of consecrating willow branches in the church on this day. They symbolize the palm branches with which the Jews greeted Jesus in Jerusalem. In Ukraine, palm trees do not grow, so they have been replaced by willow branches. Willow is the first plant to bloom in spring. It represents the awakening of nature after winter sleep and the rebirth of a new life.


How to celebrate Palm Sunday
Preparation for the holiday begins in a few days. People cut willow twigs and put them in water at home so that they bloom.

The celebration of Palm Sunday begins on Saturday evening. Divine services and consecration of willow trees are held in churches.

On Sunday, there is also a service in churches, and priests sprinkle willow twigs with holy water.

After the service, people bring consecrated twigs home, put them near the icons and keep them in this place for a year. To attract strength, health and prosperity, gently whip family members on the back with willow rods.

Housewives prepare festive lunches or dinners. Palm Sunday falls on Great Lent. On this day, it is forbidden to eat meat, eggs, and dairy products, but it is allowed to eat fish and a little red wine.

Palm Sunday is preceded by the holiday of Lazarus Saturday. On this day, Jesus Christ performed a great miracle - resurrected the righteous Lazarus. After Palm Sunday, Holy Week begins - the week before Easter, which is dedicated to memories of the last days of Jesus Christ's earthly life.

History of the holiday
The Feast of the Lord's Entry into Jerusalem was established by the Christian church in Jerusalem in the 4th century. In Russia, it originated in the 10th century and was called Palm Sunday.

The holiday is dedicated to the solemn entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem before Easter in the year 33. After Christ resurrected Lazarus from Bethany, rumors about him spread to many cities. He entered Jerusalem on a donkey accompanied by the apostles. According to tradition, those who entered the city on horseback brought war, and those who entered on a donkey brought peace. The Jews saw in Jesus a new ruler - a king. They showered Christ's path with flowers, palm branches, and laid clothes at his feet. But the Lord did not go to Jerusalem for earthly power, but for martyrdom in the name of atonement for the sins of mankind. Five days later, the same crowd shouted: "Crucify Him ...!".

There is a pagan version of the origin of Palm Sunday, according to which the prototype of the holiday was the ancient Slavic holiday Verbochlist. It was dedicated to fertility, vitality and willpower, which were identified with the willow tree.

Mass festivities were organized on this day. The boys jokingly beat the girls with a willow. It was believed that such a ritual contributes to the continuation of the family and the appearance of healthy and strong heirs. Also on this day, domestic animals were beaten with willow sticks so that they would grow up healthy.