Holy Week
During For Christians, the week before Easter Sunday that recalls the suffering and death of Jesus. Christians remember the last week of Jesus' life. It includes several events:
Palm Sunday
This is the Sunday before Easter Sunday. Palm Sunday is the first day of Holy Week and celebrates Jesus' arrival in The capital city of Israel when Jesus was alive. The city where he was crucified, buried and rose again. riding on a colt, often referred to as a donkey. Crowds of people greeted him, throwing palm branches on the road.
The Anglican Church is part of a worldwide family of churches in more than 160 different countries. It includes the Church of England and the Church of Ireland. and A group of Christians who accept the Pope in Rome as their leader. churches give out small crosses made from palm leaves as a reminder of Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem and his death on the cross. Some Christians keep these in their homes all year as a symbol of their faith.
Maundy Thursday
This is the Thursday before Easter Day. On Maundy Thursday, Christians remember when Jesus shared the Jewish festival which remembers the escape of the ancient Israelites from Egypt. meal with his disciples, breaking bread and drinking wine. This is now known as the Last Supper.
Many Christians remember this event by sharing bread and wine in a service called Holy Communion, Eucharist or Mass. It is a reminder that Jesus sacrificed his life for mankind.
The word Maundy comes from from a Latin word meaning 'commandment'. It reminds Christians that Jesus, at the Last Supper, commanded that they should love one another. At Roman Catholic Church services the priest washes the feet of 12 people to commemorate Jesus' washing the feet of his disciples at the Last Supper.
Good Friday
Good Friday is the Friday before Easter Sunday when Christians remember Jesus' Roman method of execution by nailing someone to a cross, often until they die of asphyxiation; used on Jesus and many others.. During Good Friday services, they reflect on the meaning of the crucifixion and the central message of Christianity.
The main service on Good Friday takes place between midday and 3.00 pm. In many churches it takes the form of a Thinking quietly as a spiritual or religious exercise. Connection of the mind and soul with the Divine using breathing and other techniques. In Buddhism, using one of a set of techniques or exercises for calming the mind, developing positive emotions and understanding the way things are. based on seven sayings, or last words, of Jesus on the cross, with hymns, prayers and short sermons. Roman Catholics start their service at 3.00 pm, the time that Jesus is thought to have died.
Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday marks Jesus' The rising of Christ from the dead, three days after the crucifixion.. The gospels record that, after Jesus was crucified, his body was taken down from the cross and placed in a cave. The cave was guarded by Roman soldiers and a huge stone was put over the entrance, so that no one could steal the body.
On Sunday, three days after the crucfixion, One of the female followers of Jesus who were the first to meet him after his resurrection. (followed by some of Jesus' disciples) visited the tomb to find that the stone had been moved and Jesus' body had gone. According to the gospels Jesus was seen that day by Mary Magdalene, and he was seen for 40 days afterwards by the disciples.
Christians call this the resurrection and they believe that God raised Jesus from the dead as a sign that He accepted Jesus' sacrifice for the redemption of sin, and that mankind is forgiven and will have eternal life in Heaven.
What Holy Week means for Christians today
Holy Week is important as it reminds Christians of God's sacrifice of His Son, and also God's love for His people. Christians can learn much about Jesus through the last week of his life.
Easter is the most important festival in the Christian calendar. It celebrates God raising His Son Jesus from the dead as well as the destruction of the power of sin and death forever. It symbolises the opening of Heaven with the gift of eternal life to everyone.