Palm Sunday marks start of Holy Week

Published March 30, 2012

Children participate in a Palm Sunday procession in Algeciras, Spain. Photo: Algecireno

Commemorating Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem a week before the day of his resurrection, the blessing of the palms and the procession are documented in Jerusalem as early as the fourth century in an early-medieval travelogue entitled The Pilgrimage of Egeria.

Egeria was a Spanish or Gaulish nun-perhaps even an abbess-who made a grand tour of the Holy Land, Egypt and Asia Minor circa 381-84.

She was present in Jerusalem at Eastertide and describes in detail various ceremonies taking place during Holy Week, including a procession with palms to the Mount of Olives and the veneration of the cross.

Author

  • Diana Swift

    Diana Swift is an award-winning writer and editor with 30 years’ experience in newspaper and magazine editing and production. In January 2011, she joined the Anglican Journal as a contributing editor.

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