Palm Sunday 2025: When and How to Celebrate, Traditions, Rites, and Prohibitions.

Palm Sunday (the church name - The Entrance of the Lord into Jerusalem) is a major Orthodox holiday. It is dedicated to the solemn arrival of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem on the eve of His martyrdom and death. On this day, it is customary to attend church services, bless willow branches in temples, and decorate icons at home with them. Palm Sunday in 2025 falls on April 13. The date changes every year depending on the day of Easter and is celebrated on the sixth Sunday of Lent - one week before Easter. The name of the holiday Palm Sunday comes from the custom of blessing willow branches in church on this day. They symbolize the palm branches with which the Jews greeted Jesus in Jerusalem. Since palms do not grow in Ukraine, they are replaced with willow branches. The willow is the first plant to bloom in spring. It embodies the awakening of nature after winter sleep and the revival of new life.

How to Celebrate Palm Sunday

Preparation for the holiday begins a few days earlier. People cut willow twigs and place them in water at home so that they bloom. The celebration of Palm Sunday begins on Saturday evening. Church services and the blessing of the willow take place. On Sunday, there is also a service in churches, and priests sprinkle the willow twigs with holy water. After the service, people bring the blessed branches home, place them by the icons, and keep them in this place throughout the year. To attract strength, health, and prosperity, gently whip family members on the back with the willow twigs. Hostesses prepare festive lunches or dinners. Palm Sunday falls during Great Lent. On this day, it is forbidden to eat meat, eggs, and dairy products, but fish and a little red wine are allowed. The holiday of Lazarus Saturday precedes Palm Sunday. On this day, Jesus Christ performed a great miracle - He resurrected the righteous Lazarus. After Palm Sunday, Passion Week begins - the week before Easter, dedicated to the memories of the last days of Jesus Christ's earthly life.

History of the Holiday

The feast of the Entrance of the Lord into Jerusalem was established by the Christian church in Jerusalem in the 4th century. It appeared in Rus in the 10th century and was named Palm Sunday. The holiday is dedicated to the solemn entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem before Easter in the year 33. After Christ raised 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, while those who rode in on a donkey brought peace. The Jews saw in Jesus a new ruler - the king. They showered the path of Christ with flowers and palm branches and laid down their clothes at His feet. But the Lord went to Jerusalem not for earthly power, but for a martyr's death for the redemption of humanity's sins. Five days later, that crowd cried out: 'Crucify Him ...!'. There is a pagan version of the origin of Palm Sunday, according to which the ancient Slavic holiday of Verbohlíst served as a prototype. It was dedicated to fertility, vitality, and the strength of will, which were identified with the willow.

Traditions and Rites

Palm Sunday is associated with numerous traditions and rites. They are aimed at attracting health, wealth, well-being, successful marriages, and happy motherhood. On this day, it is forbidden to do housework: cleaning, washing, and washing dishes. It is not advisable to cook hot dishes, so hostesses try to prepare festive treats for the family in advance. It is not recommended to sew, knit, embroider, or comb one's hair. Heavy physical labor is also not allowed: chopping wood, working in the garden. On this holiday, it is forbidden to quarrel, use foul language, wish evil, or think of bad things. It is better to refrain from watching television, playing computer games, and having loud feasts.

How to Properly Greet on Palm Sunday

May the willow touch you,A gray fluffy branch,So that you may always be healthy,And rejoice, Easter is coming!

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It’s not me who strikes – it’s the willow that strikes,In a week, it’ll be Easter,Not far away lies a red egg!

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Willow branches are warmed by the sun,And the soul rejoices, and the soul sings,For the holiday is near, painted eggs, and Easter bread,For God’s mercy and grace comes down to the earth.

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I’ll touch you with a soft gray catkin,I’ll gently touch you with a willow,Get ready to meet the bright Easter,Easter is coming to us with you!

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Be as big as a willow,Be as healthy as water,Be as rich as the earth!

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Strike the willow, do not offend,Wish for all good,In a week, with anticipation,Wait for the Easter holidays!

What Can and Cannot Be Eaten

Palm Sunday falls during the Great Forty-day Fast before Easter. On this holiday, the Orthodox Church relaxes the fast. It is forbidden to eat meat, eggs, and dairy products, but it is allowed to eat fish. Traditional dishes for the festive table include vegetable salads, stews with peas, beans, corn, and lentils.