MOSCOW, April 5. /TASS/. Orthodox Christians are celebrating Palm Sunday, the feast that commemorates Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Patriarch Kirill will deliver a Divine Liturgy service in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow.
According to Gospel, Jesus’s triumphal entry to Jerusalem took place six days before his Resurrection. Celebrating people laid down palm branches in front of Jesus, as he resurrected Lazarus on Saturday.
In memory of Jesus’ triumph, Christians come to celebrations with tree branches. In many countries, palm branches are not used. In Italy, believers bring olive branches, in France - boxwood, rosemary and laurel, and in Russia - pussy willow.
Holy Week follows after Palm Sunday. On April 12, Orthodox Christians will celebrate Easter.