Christian pilgrims mark Palm Sunday in JerusalemJERUSALEM (AP) — Hundreds of Christians holding green fronds marked Palm Sunday in Jerusalem, celebrating Jesus Christ's triumphant entry into the holy city two millennia ago.
Catholic pilgrims, clergymen and local Christians attended mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, traditionally held to be the site of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection.
Friar Bonaventure Lucien, of Boston, stood in the courtyard of the ancient church. He said he was excited to be where Jesus arrived on a donkey and was greeted by cheering crowds bearing palm fronds, as recounted in the Bible.
"For me, it's a singular privilege to be in the place where Jesus himself actually entered, and then the place where he was crucified and died," he said. "So for us it's very, very emotional — a once-in-a-life experience for most."
Later Sunday, pilgrims planned to retrace Jesus' route with a traditional procession into Jerusalem's Old City from the Mount of Olives.
Palm Sunday is the start of Christian Holy Week. It continues with Good Friday, marking Jesus' crucifixion and death, and Easter Sunday, celebrating his resurrection.
This year, Palm Sunday falls just over a month before Pope Benedict XVI arrives in Jerusalem as part of his first visit to the Holy Land. The pope will visit Israel, the Palestinian territories and Jordan from May 8 to 15.
Orthodox Christians, who use a different calendar, will celebrate Palm Sunday in a week's time, on April 12.
" Palm Sunday is a jubilant celebration. It marks the day when Jesus entered the Holy Land. He was welcomed with palm leaves and jubilee. These are the people whom Jesus healed and blessed. However, these same people will be the ones who will crucify him on the cross. Palm Sunday for me is a reminder to us of how easily we forget the great blessings and good things that come our way when we are triggered by negative people and vibrations. This Palm Sunday, may we recognize God's love for us by giving us His only Son to die for our sins and to save us."
Sunday, April 5, 2009
What is Palm Sunday?
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