Palm Sunday is the Christian Sunday before Easter that remembers Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, when people greeted him with palm branches and shouts of “Hosanna.” It marks the start of Holy Week and, in many churches, is also called Passion Sunday.

Quick Scoop

Palm Sunday is important because it holds two meanings at once: celebration and sorrow. It celebrates Jesus as king, but it also points toward his suffering and crucifixion later in the week.

What happened

According to the Gospels, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey while crowds spread cloaks and palm branches in his path. The palm branches became the reason for the name “Palm Sunday”.

How it’s observed

Many churches mark the day with a blessing or procession of palms, and some read the Passion story during the service. In some traditions, the palms are kept and later burned for Ash Wednesday ashes.

Simple meaning

If you want the shortest version: Palm Sunday is the day Christians remember Jesus’ public welcome into Jerusalem just before Easter.