While many Christians are celebrating Easter today( Happy Easter), Eastern Christians are just kicking off the Holy Week with Palm Sunday today.
I don't quite understand the disagreement on dates, but I know that The Greek Orthodox Church follows the Julian Calender, and even though sometimes the Eastern Easter falls on the same day as Western Easter, it most often does not. So, I am celebrating Palm Sunday today, and Easter next week.
Here's a description of Palm Sunday,courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery:
On Sunday, five days before the Passover of the Law, the Lord came from Bethany to Jerusalem. Sending two of His disciples to bring Him a foal of an ass, He sat thereon and entered into the city. When the multitude there heard that Jesus was coming, they straightway took up the branches of palm trees in their hands, and went forth to meet Him. Others spread their garments on the ground, and yet others cut branches from the trees and strewed them in the way that Jesus was to pass; and all of them together, especially the children, went before and after Him, crying out: "Hosanna: Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord, the King of Israel" (John 12:13). This is the radiant and glorious festival of our Lord's entry into Jerusalem that we celebrate today.The branches of the palm trees symbolize Christ's victory over the devil and death. The word Hosanna means "Save, I pray," or "Save, now." The foal of an ass, and Jesus' sitting thereon, and the fact that this animal was untamed and considered unclean according to the Law, signified the former uncleanness and wildness of the nations, and their subjection thereafter to the holy Law of the Gospel.
I have great memories of Palm Sunday celebrations at my church over the years,both in Beit Sahour and cities around the country. I especially loved the Palm Sunday Liturgy we attended at St. George in Albuquerque, NM couple years ago. A big congregation, a priest with a powerful voice, and a beautiful church.
In Beit Sahour, Palm Sunday is as big of a deal as Easter day itself. The church is packed that Sunday,even people who do not attend liturgy on regular bases, don't miss Palm Sunday liturgy.Actually, the preparation for Palm Sunday starts the week before, with weaving and decorating palm leaves for kids.We used to compete who can carry the heaviest palm leaf with the most flowers(and walk with it). Well, I never won, but it is still a fond memory.
The congregation, all carrying weaved palm leaves and palm crosses, follow the priest in a tour outside the church, and around town, shouting "Hosanna" and singing Palm Sunday hymns. It is truly a beautiful sight and a moving experience.Unfortunately, I don't have any photos readily on my computer for that.
As I mentioned in a previous post, Palm Sunday is the other day in Great Lent we are allowed to eat fish. And since Bill had to work this evening, I decided to just make a nice and quick fish meal, that he can take to work with him. I ended up making Bangkok Sweet and Sour fish, using fresh mahi mahi.
Recipe in next post!
Comments (7)
Very interesting because when I was a kid, we would weave those palm leaf crosses too.
That fish sounds great - I'm glad you're going to post the recipe!
Posted by Annie | April 13, 2009 8:25 AM
Posted on April 13, 2009 08:25
Hi Candi, thank you for this post on Palm Sunday. I found it very interesting! I'm learning so much about the Greek Orthodox Church from your blog. The Saint George Greek Orthodox church in NM, looks really nice and I found the information on their website interesting to read.
Thank you for sharing and have a great day today!
Posted by Kathy (Trekcapri) | April 13, 2009 10:03 AM
Posted on April 13, 2009 10:03
Very interesting, Candi. I've never quite understood the disagreements on dates either.
But as a child, I loved Palm Sunday. It's a happy holiday to begin with, and I always loved getting the palm tree leaves to weave (and then use as a weapon against my brothers!)
Posted by sandrac | April 13, 2009 2:42 PM
Posted on April 13, 2009 14:42
Happy Palm Sunday! Your childhood memories of the day sound so nice. And it is cool that you have been able to find churches to attend in the different places. Here in DC there are multiple Orthodox churches if you wanna come visit! St. Sophia Greek Orthodox church is the most known one here.
Posted by Chiocciola | April 13, 2009 2:51 PM
Posted on April 13, 2009 14:51
Thanks all for your comments.
Annie, weaving palm leaves was a lot of fun.And then decorating with flowers was like the icing on the cake.
Kathy, thanks. Saint George is a very nice church, I liked it a lot. Albuquerque is a big city, and Saint George is the only Greek Orthodox church, so it has many members, and the priest is great.
Sandra, interesting about using palm tree leaves as weapons. I don't think I tired that, we were always busy weaving the palm leaves into bouquets and filling them with flowers.
Chiocciola, sure I wanna come to DC:) I almost always was able to find a GO church where I go, sometimes it is very small, but still there. Exception is here on Maui. But there is one in Honolulu a short plane ride away.
Posted by candi | April 13, 2009 3:19 PM
Posted on April 13, 2009 15:19
I love reading about how you observe Lent and the differences and similarities with the RC Church.
Interesting to read that the palm tree leaves were decorated. Our leaves are given at the beginning of the Mass and people weave them during the service.
Posted by María I. | April 15, 2009 10:13 AM
Posted on April 15, 2009 10:13
Oh yes, Maria, in Beit Sahour, people took their palm leaves decoration seriously.
However, in the States, we just weave palm leaves into crosses rather than bouquets.
Posted by candi | April 15, 2009 2:45 PM
Posted on April 15, 2009 14:45