When is Palm Sunday 2019 and why is it celebrated?

Palm Sunday is now just days away with the annual Christian commemoration on Sunday marking the start of Holy Week.

Observed on the last Sunday before Easter by Christians of many denominations, Palm Sunday is one of the most important dates in the Christian calendar.

So what is Palm Sunday and what is the story behind it? Here’s everything you need to know.

What is Palm Sunday and how is it related to Easter Sunday?

Palm Sunday is a major Christian feast day and one of the most important in the Christian calendar as it marks both the start of Holy Week and the last week of Lent.

It commemorates Jesus’ triumphant arrival into Jerusalem on a donkey just a few days before he was crucified.

Churches now celebrate the day with the blessing and distribution of palm branches, often in the form of small crosses. Special church services will also be held.

In countries where palms are hard to get hold of, trees such as willow, olive and yew will be used instead.

The use of palms is said to represent the branches the crowd scattered in front of Jesus as he rode into the city.

Holy Week is the week leading up to Easter Sunday, the day in which Jesus is said to have risen from the dead.

The week also includes Holy Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. Good Friday marks the date of Jesus’ crucifixion.

When is Palm Sunday 2019?

Palm Sunday is always celebrated on the Sunday before Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

This year, it falls on April 14. Good Friday is on April 19 and Easter Sunday will be on April 21.

What is the Palm Sunday story?

According to the gospel, Jesus is said to have ridden into Jerusalem on a donkey after performing the miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead.

As he rode into the city, Christian teaching says the people there were so moved they laid down palm branches and clothes in front to honour him. 

During this time period, palm branches were seen as symbols of triumph and victory, and were often thrown down at the feet of conquering heroes in homage to them.

What is the Last Supper?

The Last Supper was the final meal Jesus shared with his 12 Disciples in Jerusalem before his crucifixion the following day.

It is commemorated today on Maundy Thursday and marks the fifth day of Holy Week. 

Christian teachings also say that during the Last Supper Jesus washed his disciples’ feet as an act of humility, and that he predicted he would be betrayed by Judas Iscariot.