The Feast of the Lord's Entry into Jerusalem is considered one of the twelve most important celebrations in the Orthodox calendar. The liturgical charter presupposes the tradition of consecrating the branches of willow and willow on the eve of this holiday.
On April 5, 2015, the entire fullness of the Orthodox Church will solemnly celebrate the feast of the Lord's Entry into Jerusalem, which is popularly called Palm Sunday. This popular name was not chosen by chance, because on the eve of the celebration (Saturday evening, April 4), willow and willow branches will be consecrated in all Orthodox churches in Russia. The Gospels tell how Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem a week before his resurrection.
The Lord's procession to Jerusalem was a very significant event in the life of the inhabitants of Palestine at that time. People saw many miracles of the Savior, and therefore they greeted the latter before entering the city with joyful exclamations: "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord." At the same time, the Savior, walking on a colt, was spreading along the road branches of palm trees, symbolizing the special glory and greatness with which the kings of that time were greeted.
In memory of this historical event in Russia, on the eve of the holiday, willow branches were consecrated for the lack of palm branches, which for geographic reasons do not grow in the main part of Russia. The willow wakes up after winter earlier than other trees, begins to bloom and absorbs all the warmth of the spring sun. Nowadays, it is these branches that have come to symbolize spiritual awakening. On the feast of Palm Sunday, the willows do not yet fully bloom their leaves, which symbolically indicates the beginning of great spiritual joy, which will be fully fulfilled in the feast of Holy Easter.
After the consecration of the willow, believers take the consecrated branches home and keep them for a year as a shrine.
