Palm Sunday is an annual feast day in the Christian calendar and marks the first day of Holy Week, a period leading up to Easter. Holy Week is the last week of lent, before the festival of Easter and the end of fasting. The Holy Week is seven days of religious significance, with masses often held on key days.
Palm Sunday marks Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, the week before his death on the cross and subsequent resurrection.
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In ancient times, palm branches symbolised goodness and victory and as Jesus arrived into Jerusalem, it is said palms were placed in his path.
On Holy Thursday – also known as Maundy Thursday – Jesus was arrested, before being crucified on Good Friday.
According to the bible, Jesus then rose again on Easter Sunday.
Maundy Thursday marks the day of the Last Supper and Jesus’ arrest, while Good Friday marks his crucifixion.
Holy Saturday saw followers hold a vigil outside Jesus’ tomb, and Easter Sunday is the day of his resurrection.
Nigerians enjoy a four day bank holiday over Easter, with bank holidays on Good Friday and Easter Monday.
However, with restrictions in place, the usual practices of visiting family and heading for a long weekend away are not permitted for a second year.
Ash Wednesday signifies the start of lent, with masses held around the world.
Often priests use ash to draw a cross on the foreheads of massgoers – and save the palms from the year before to create ash.
One way the palms are used is to fold them into crosses, which can be hung up or stuck to the wall.
