Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem

Five days before a crowd shouts crucify him, the same crowd welcomes him as a king, spreading their clothes on the road before him.

The day before, at Bethany, something had happened that could not go unnoticed: Christ called into a tomb where Lazarus had lain dead for four days, and the dead man came out. The news crossed Jerusalem overnight, and when Jesus approached the city thousands came out to meet him. They cut palm branches, threw down their garments and cried: Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

He entered Jerusalem not on a horse, as conquerors did, but on a young donkey, an animal of peaceful everyday work. The people were waiting for a leader to throw off the Romans; what came was a King who would be crucified within the week. The Gospel keeps a detail easy to miss: looking at the rejoicing city, Christ wept over it.

Why willows

Palms do not grow in northern lands, and their place was taken by the pussy willow, the first tree to wake after winter. At the vigil the faithful stand holding willow branches and lighted candles: each holds the very branch with which Christ was met. The blessed branches are taken home and kept by the icons until the next year.

How it is kept

A movable feast: the last Sunday before Pascha, the sixth Sunday of Great Lent. For its sake the strict fast is relaxed and fish is permitted. Holy Week begins immediately after, and the celebration is short by design: only days separate the crowd's delight from the Cross.

By raising Lazarus from the dead before Your passion, You confirmed the universal resurrection, O Christ God. Like the children with the palms of victory, we cry out to You, O Vanquisher of death: Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.