Palm Sunday commemorates the Christian belief in the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, when he was greeted by cheering crowds waving palm branches that they set out on the ground along his path, according to the Bible.
Palm Sunday is celebrated on the last Sunday of Lent and first day of Holy Week in Christian churches.
It characteristically falls on the Sunday before Easter.
All major Christian churches, including Roman Catholic and Protestant celebrate Palm Sunday.
In Orthodox churches, which follow the Julian calender, Palm Sunday is celebrated later.
Why is the day important to Christians?
The day symbolizes Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem, the start of the march to his death on a wooden cross.
It’s otherwise know as Passion Sunday in honor of his suffering and death before his resurrection.
How it is celebrated
The day is mostly celebrated with processions and distribution of blessed palm leaves.
The palms, in some churches, are saved and burned into ashes to be used on Ash Wednesday of the next year. Meanwhile, some Christians fold the palm fronds into crosses and have them kept in their homes.
