Holy Week is a special period in Christianity. In just one week, Jesus Christ learned the value of human love and betrayal, life and death. At the beginning of the Holy Week, he entered Jerusalem, in the middle he was captured and given over to suffering, at the end of the week he was crucified. According to ancient custom, Holy Week begins on Sunday and ends on Saturday.
Palm Sunday
On Palm Sunday, the Savior entered Jerusalem in order to preach there, to be captured and to accept suffering. Of course, Jesus Christ knew what was ahead of him, and made a conscious sacrifice for the sake of the one he loved most in the world - man. The inhabitants of Jerusalem accepted Jesus as a prophet and greeted him with palm branches in their hands. Since there are no palm branches in our region, the church fathers decided to replace them with willow branches. People on this day bring willow twigs to the temple for illumination.
Monday to Wednesday
From Monday to Wednesday, Jesus Christ preached in Jerusalem. Knowing that the term of his earthly life was coming to an end, he tried to put as much information as possible in the ears of his listeners. According to tradition, during the service in the church, priests remember these days the parables about the withered fig tree, about 10 virgins and talents buried in the ground, about the second coming. On Wednesday, two major events take place: a woman ossified in sins pours precious ointment on the feet of a tired Jesus and receives forgiveness, and one of his disciples, Judas, contemplates betrayal.
Maundy Thursday
On Thursday, the Last Supper takes place, during which Jesus Christ gives final instructions to his disciples and portends his imminent death and resurrection. The Savior follows to the Garden of Gethsemane, where he prays and reminds the apostles that they cannot sleep that night. But the apostles fall asleep, and, betrayed by Judas, Christ on the night of Thursday to Friday falls into the hands of Roman soldiers. Another betrayal falls to Christ's share: the frightened Peter denies the teacher before the soldiers.
Good Friday
Good Friday is the day when Jesus Christ was tortured, judged and crucified on the cross. After several hours of unbearable suffering, Christ dies. This is the most sorrowful day of the Passion Week, the day of sorrow and the strictest fasting. Even those who did not fast during Lent are strongly advised by priests to refrain from eating fast food, alcohol and sexual relations this Friday.
Saturday
On Saturday, faithful disciples bury the body of Jesus Christ. Saturday is the most mysterious day of Holy Week. While the body of Christ lies in the grave, his soul descends into hell, where it forgives the ancient prophets and righteous people who lived before the birth of Jesus. Hell groans with anger, as Christ establishes his authority even in the kingdom of the devil. Only a few hours remain until Easter, the great day that marks the victory over death.
Holy Week for Christians
For a Christian, Holy Week is a time of strict fasting and repentance. The church fathers prescribe spending this time in prayer and abstinence, attending church, attending services, and confessing sins. Every day of Holy Week is full of sacred meaning. The course of the church service varies depending on what event occurred on a particular day of the week preceding Easter.
