Easter is exactly one week away, which means today it’s Palm Sunday.
Palm Sunday marks an important day for Christians, who celebrate Jesus Christ’s resurrection over the Easter period.
The date for Easter Sunday changes each year and is dependent on the lunar calendar for many denominations of Christianity, as reported in Kent Live.
Under the lunar calendar, Easter Sunday falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the Spring Equinox, which is usually around March 20.
Christians observe a 40 day period of Lent before Easter, and Palm Sunday is marked on the Sunday before Easter Sunday.
Why is Palm Sunday important?
Palm Sunday marks the start of Holy Week, representing the day Jesus entered Jerusalem in triumph riding on the back of a donkey while crowds, who would later call for him to be killed, paid homage to him.
Christians believe it was a week before his death and resurrection, and the events of that day are recalled in special Palm Sunday services.
Why is it called Palm Sunday?
The name Palm Sunday comes from the palm branches that people laid down in Jesus' path as he rode into Jerusalem.
Palm branches are seen as a symbol of peace and victory, and in Biblical times were often thrown before the feet of a conquering hero in homage. When Jesus arrived in the Holy City, the Gospel writers said the crowds lay palm branches and clothes at his feet to honour him.
It had been predicted in the Old Testament that people would recognise the Messiah when he rode into the city, and they would then lay palms at his feet.
Today, palm crosses are given to parishioners on Palm Sunday to take home after services.