Holy Week is the final week of Lent in the Christian calendar, commemorating the last seven days of Jesus Christ's life leading up to his resurrection on Easter Sunday
. It begins with Palm Sunday, which celebrates Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, where crowds welcomed him with palm branches
. The week includes several significant days:
- Palm Sunday: Jesus enters Jerusalem; crowds greet him with palms
- Holy Monday to Holy Wednesday: Various events including Jesus cleansing the temple and his betrayal by Judas on Spy Wednesday (Holy Wednesday)
- Maundy Thursday (Holy Thursday): Commemoration of the Last Supper, where Jesus shared a final meal with his disciples and washed their feet
- Good Friday: Jesus' crucifixion and death, a solemn day of reflection on his sacrifice for humanity
- Holy Saturday: Jesus' body lies in the tomb, and he is believed to have descended into hell
- Easter Sunday: Celebration of Jesus' resurrection, symbolizing hope and victory over sin and death
Holy Week is observed with deep spiritual reflection and various liturgical practices across Christian denominations, marking it as the most sacred time in the Christian year
. It is a movable observance, meaning its dates change each year depending on the date of Easter
. In summary, Holy Week is a time for Christians to remember and participate in the Passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, reflecting on themes of love, suffering, sacrifice, and redemption
