Description

Palm Sunday commemorates the triumphant procession of Jesus into Jerusalem, when he was hailed as messiah, as recorded in the Christian gospels. The day marks the beginning of Holy Week, during which solemn liturgies in the various Christian churches recall Jesus' last week before the Passion. The notable event in Jerusalem is a procession with palm branches that begins at dawn from the village of Bethany at the top of the Mount of Olives. Pilgrim groups walk down the mountain to the Old City of Jerusalem, where they attend Sunday services at various churches. Information about specific organized groups and times can be obtained from the Christian Information Center. The date of Palm Sunday varies from year to year. Orthodox and Roman Catholic celebrations do not always coincide.