Holy Week this year runs fromMarch 24-31 2024.
Holy Week (Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, & Easter Sunday)
"Holy Week is a string of eight days that allow Christiansan opportunity to reflect upon the shift in humanity Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross launched. It starts with Palm Sunday when Jesus enters the city of Jerusalem. The week leads through the Last Supper, His crucifixion, and ends onEasterSunday with His resurrection. This is the basis of Christianity, His sacrifice launched the New Covenant God promised and many had prophesied throughout the Old Testament. Each day of Holy Week allows Christians to peek into the heart of their Savior at intently close proximity. His love for people is reflected in every significant step toward the cross, every breath up to the last, and His resurrection.
Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday and ends with Easter Sunday. During this one week, many biblical prophesies were fulfilled. Jesus came to earth to save humanity by dying on the cross on Good Friday and resurrecting on Easter Sunday. By enduring and defeating death sacrificially for people, He swung open the gates of heaven making a way for sins to be forgiven and usher Christians into the presence of God (Romans 5:8)."
-Crosswalk.com
Easter (Religious Perspective)
"Easter is a 2,000-year-old Christian holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ and marks the arrival of Spring. For many, Easter is all about chocolate bunnies, dyed eggs, and bouquets of daffodils and lilies, but the holiday is one of the most important observances of the year for Christians around the world.
Easter is also significantly associated with the exodus of the Jews from Egypt as depicted in the Old Testament and the Jewish holiday of Passover. The Last Supper, which took place the night before Jesus was arrested, is also linked to these events.
Religiously, Easter is celebrated by Christians in a number of ways, including the baptismal rite and traditional liturgy observed by Catholics on the night of Holy Saturday, or the sunrise practices on Easter Sunday favored by Protestants. Easter is also celebrated zealously by members of the Orthodox church, but the day on which they observe Easter differs by 13 days from the Catholics, since they follow the Julian calendar. "
-National Today
Easter (Secular Holiday Perspective)
"Easter traditions and symbols have evolved over time, though some have been around for centuries. While to Christians, Easter is the celebration of the resurrection of Christ, many Easter traditions are not found in the Bible. The most prominent secular symbol of the Christian holiday, the Easter bunny, was reportedly introduced to America by the German immigrants who brought over their stories of an egg-laying hare. The decoration of eggs is believed to date back to at least the 13th century, while the rite of the Easter parade has even older roots. Other traditions, such as the consumption of Easter candy, are among the modern additions to the celebration of this early springtime holiday.
According to some sources, the Easter bunny first arrived in America in the 1700s with German immigrants who settled inPennsylvaniaand transported their tradition of an egg-laying hare called “Osterhase” or “Oschter Haws.” Their children made nests in which this creature could lay its colored eggs. Eventually, the custom spread across the U.S. and the fabled rabbit’s Easter morning deliveries expanded to include chocolate and other types of candy and gifts, while decorated baskets replaced nests. Additionally, children often left out carrots for the bunny in case he got hungry from all his hopping.
Easter is a religious holiday, but some of its customs, such asEaster eggs, are likely linked to pagan traditions. The egg, an ancient symbol of new life, has been associated with pagan festivals celebrating spring. From a Christian perspective, Easter eggs are said to represent Jesus’ emergence from the tomb and resurrection. Decorating eggs for Easter is a tradition that dates back to at least the 13th century, according to some sources. One explanation for this custom is that eggs were formerly a forbidden food during the Lenten season, so people would paint and decorate them to mark the end of the period of penance and fasting, then eat them on Easter as a celebration."
-History.com
FAQs
Holy Week begins with the commemoration of Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, marks the betrayal of Jesus on Spy Wednesday (Holy Wednesday), climaxing with the commemoration of the Mystical or Last Supper on Maundy Thursday and the Passion of Jesus on Good Friday.
What happened on Holy Thursday Good Friday and Easter Sunday? ›
The week begins with Palm Sunday, the day Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem and it continues with Holy Thursday also called the Last Supper (Holy Communion), his crucifixion on Good Friday which is also known as Holy Friday or Black Friday, and culminates in Easter Sunday, which marks his resurrection.
What should we not do on Holy Thursday? ›
MAKE AN ADDITIONAL SACRIFICE by fasting and abstaining from meat on Holy Thursday and Holy Saturday in addition to Good Friday. 3. DON'T WATCH TELEVISION from sundown on Holy Thursday until Easter morning.
What is Holy Week how do Palm Sunday Holy Thursday Good Friday and Easter Sunday fit into the Easter celebration? ›
It starts with Palm Sunday when Jesus enters the city of Jerusalem. The week leads through the Last Supper, His crucifixion, and ends on Easter Sunday with His resurrection. This is the basis of Christianity, His sacrifice launched the New Covenant God promised and many had prophesied throughout the Old Testament.
What did Jesus do on Thursday during the Holy Week? ›
Holy Thursday is the commemoration of the Last Supper of Jesus Christ, when he established the sacrament of Holy Communion prior to his arrest and crucifixion. It also commemorates His institution of the priesthood.
What is the most important day in Holy Week? ›
Easter Sunday is the most important holiday in the Christian Church calendar. The commemoration of Jesus Christ's resurrection from the tomb after being crucified for the sins of the world is the central belief of Christianity.
What foods to avoid in Holy Week? ›
During this week, Christians observe various holy practices. Mainly fasting and avoiding certain foods such as meats, sweets, and alcoholic beverages.
Can you eat eggs on Holy Thursday? ›
During these days, it is not acceptable to eat lamb, chicken, beef, pork, ham, deer and most other meats. However, eggs, milk, fish, grains, and fruits and vegetables are all allowed. There are exceptions. For example, pregnant women, the ill, the elderly and very young are exempt from Lent rules of fasting.
What to do at 3pm on Good Friday? ›
One powerful way to remember Good Friday is by maintaining silence throughout the day, especially between 12 pm and 3 pm (when Jesus was on the Cross).
What happened to Jesus at Easter? ›
According to the Gospels, Jesus was put to death on what is now Good Friday, and rose again on the third day – which today is celebrated as Easter Sunday. Jesus' early followers believed not only that he had been resurrected, but that he was the long-awaited Jewish messiah, who had fulfilled earlier Jewish prophecies.
Jesus therefore died on Friday, April 3, AD 33 at about 3 p.m., a few hours before the beginning of Passover day and the Sabbath. This is the date in the Julian calendar, which had been introduced in 45 BC, and follows the convention that historical dates adhere to the calendar in use at the time.
When did Jesus rise from the dead? ›
The resurrection narratives in the Gospels portray Jesus as raised to life on the third day in his crucified body, leaving behind him an empty tomb. In Luke's Gospel, for example, the resurrection narrative begins with the disciples' discovery of the empty tomb (24:1–12; cf.
What do the 7 days of the week mean? ›
The ancient Babylonians named the days of the week. The 28-day lunar cycle was broken into four weeks, each consisting of seven days. The days of the week were named after the celestial bodies which the Babylonians observed: the Sun, the Moon, Mars, Venus, Mercury, Saturn, and Jupiter.
Why are there 7 days in a week according to the Bible? ›
According to the Book of Genesis, God created everything in the world in six days and then rested the seventh day. Many believe this provided a model for early cultures to follow: work six days and rest on the seventh day. Our modern calendars still adhere to the seven-day week.
Why is it called Maundy Thursday? ›
The word "Maundy" is originated from the Latin word called "mandatum," which means "commandment." This day is named after Jesus' commandment to his disciples to love one another. Maundy Thursday demonstrates the importance of humility and service by remembering Jesus washing the feet of his disciples.
