The Orthodox World Celebrates Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday (Tsvetnitsa/Flowers Day) falls on the Sunday before Easter. It is dedicated to Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem where he was greeted with olive and laurel twigs. Thus, everyone brings to church laurel twigs and flowers on this day. Everybody named after flowers celebrate their name day.

On this day, a Divine Liturgy is held in all Orthodox churches. On Sunday, Monday and Tuesday evening is conducted the so-called Bridegroom Service. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday morning a Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is held and on Maundy Thursday morning - a Divine Liturgy of St Basil the Great and blessing of consecrated oil. In the evening reading of the 12 Gospels is conducted.