Palm Sunday: The Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem

Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter and the first day of Holy Week, commemorating Jesus Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem​. In the Orthodox Church, this feast is often called the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, and it is one of the Twelve Great Feasts of the liturgical year​.

On this day we remember how the people of Jerusalem welcomed Jesus as a king—laying down branches and shouting “Hosanna!” as He rode into the city on a humble donkey. For Orthodox Christians today, Palm Sunday is a joyous celebration that bridges the reflective season of Great Lent and the solemn commemoration of Holy Week. It is both a historical remembrance and a living spiritual experience, filled with reverence, hope, and the proclamation: “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”

Biblical and Historical Background

Palm Sunday’s story is found in all four Gospel accounts, underlining its importance​. After performing many miracles—most notably the raising of Lazarus from the dead just a day earlier—Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey. This fulfilled the Old Testament prophecy from the prophet Zechariah:

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey - Zechariah 9:9

The Gospel of John notes that this happened “six days before Passover”, and great crowds came out to meet Jesus because they heard of the miracle of Lazarus​.

The people spread out their cloaks and palm branches on the road, greeting Him with cries of “Hosanna!” and “Son of David, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”​

The Feast in Orthodox Tradition

Orthodox services on Palm Sunday are filled with celebratory elements usually reserved for Pascha. It is one of the Great Feasts, so the church is vested in bright, festive colors (often green, symbolizing new life)​.

At the conclusion of the Liturgy, worshippers take their blessed palm or willow branches home with them. It is customary to place these in the icon corner of the house or behind a wall cross, as a blessing (evloghia) that stays with the family​.

Hymns of Palm Sunday

At the same time, the hymns and readings remind us that the King we welcome is on the way to suffering and death for our sake. We are invited to embrace both the joy and the humility of this moment.

An interesting aspect of Orthodox Palm Sunday theology is the theme of Christ as the New Adam and universal King. One of the hymns calls Him the “King of Israel” and also the King of all​. Another hymn (the Kontakion of the feast) says that Christ comes “to recall Adam”, meaning to bring back the fallen human race into communion with God.

Welcoming Christ the King: Reflections for Today

Palm Sunday carries a timeless message for us. We too stand at the gates of Jerusalem, so to speak, holding in our hands the palms of faith and hope. The palms we receive in church are not magic tokens; they are invitations. By holding them, we become participants in the Gospel event – we are saying, “Yes, Lord, I welcome You into my life as King.”

At the same time, Palm Sunday challenges us. We see in the ancient story a mirror of the human heart. It is sobering that some who greeted Christ with joy later turned away from Him. The liturgy implicitly asks: Will we follow Christ only when it’s pleasant and popular, or also when it’s difficult?

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me,” and on Palm Sunday it was the children who sang His glory most genuinely. No matter our age or status, we can become like the children – offering our simple love and worship to Christ, who is truly worthy of it.

Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord!

May you have a blessed Palm Sunday and a grace-filled journey through Holy Week.