Palm Sunday, also called Passion Sunday in the Christian tradition, is the first day of Holy Week and the Sunday before Easter, commemorating Jesus Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. It is associated in many churches with the blessing and procession of palms (leaves of the date palm or twigs from locally available trees).
These special ceremonies took place toward the end of the 4th century in Jerusalem and are described in the travelogue Peregrinatio Etheriae (The Pilgrimage of Etheria). In the West, the earliest evidence of the ceremonies is found in the Bobbio Sacramentary (8th century).
During the Middle Ages, the ceremony for blessing the palms was elaborate. The procession began at one church and went to another in which the palms were blessed. Once the palms were blessed, the march returned to the church where it had originated for the liturgy singing. While singing, the Deacons would chant the Passion of Christ. However, after reforms of the Roman Catholic liturgies in 1955 and 1969, ceremonies were somewhat simplified to emphasize the suffering and death of Christ.
The day is now officially called Passion Sunday. The liturgy begins with a blessing and procession of palms. Still, prime attention is given to a lengthy reading of the Passion, with parts taken by the priest, lectors, and congregation. The palms are often taken home by the congregation members to serve as sacramentals (sacred signs of the sacraments). Some are burned the following year to serve as the ashes for Ash Wednesday.
In the Byzantine liturgy, the Eucharist on Palm Sunday is followed by a procession in which the priest carries the icon representing commemorating events. In the Anglican churches, some traditional ceremonies were revived in the 19th century. However, while celebrating the day without ritual ceremonies, most Protestant churches give palms increasing prominence.
Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Palm Sunday". Encyclopedia Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Palm-Sunday. Accessed 30 March 2023.
Trinity 11 Sermon: The Pharisee, the Publican, and True Prayer
In the Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican, Jesus exposes the danger of measuring ourselves against others. This sermon explores how self-justification traps the soul, while humility and repentance open the door to God’s mercy and peace.
When Jesus Wept: Preparing the Heart for Christ
Jesus wept over Jerusalem because the people failed to recognize God’s visitation and the peace He offered. In Luke 19:41–47, Christ’s tears and His cleansing of the Temple reveal the depth of divine love that seeks not to condemn, but to restore. Fr. Dan challenges believers to examine their hearts, remove spiritual clutter, and welcome Christ fully, allowing Him to transform them into living houses of prayer.
Two Lost Sons, One Loving Father: Grace for the Prodigal and the Faithful
In his Trinity 9 sermon on Luke 15:11–32, Fr. Dan explores the familiar Parable of the Prodigal Son from a fresh perspective. Rather than focusing solely on the younger brother who wandered away, he highlights the lostness of both sons—the rebellious son in the distant country and the resentful son standing outside the celebration. At the heart of the story is a father whose grace reaches both. This sermon reminds us that whether we have strayed far from God or have become spiritually distant while remaining close to religious life, the Father’s invitation to forgiveness, belonging, and joy remains open to all.