The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates Palm Sunday today

The Armenian Church celebrates Palm Sunday, the Sunday preceding the Feast of the Resurrection, which is the triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem.

By the high decree of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, Palm Sunday was declared the day of the blessing of children, because when the Lord entered the temple of Jerusalem, children cried out, saying: “Blessed is the Son of David!” (Matt. 21:15). On that day, the rite of the Blessing of Children is performed in churches.

The people welcomed Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem with enthusiasm, spreading their garments on the road along with olive and palm branches and shouting: “Hosanna to the Most High! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is coming! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” (Mark 11:9-10).

According to the Fathers of the Church, spreading out garments before Jesus symbolized confessing sins to Christ. The offering of branches and twigs generally meant special honors and solemnity. The olive tree was perceived as a symbol of wisdom, peace, victory, and glory. The offering of olive and palm branches to Christ, who raised Lazarus from the dead, symbolized victory over death.

The Palm Sunday also symbolizes the first day of creation, when God created heaven and earth, and light spread, driving out darkness.

This day also symbolizes the first period, when the earth was adorned with plants and flowers, and Adam and Eve rejoiced in Paradise. And just as in the first period, Cain killed Abel out of envy, so the Jews, plotting evil, killed Christ and became heirs of Cain's curse.

On Palm Sunday, five days before the Jewish Passover, Christ came of His own free will to Jerusalem, the place of His suffering, to show that He is the Lamb of God, Who desires to be sacrificed for our salvation. For, according to the Law, the Jews took the Paschal lamb home five days before the Passover feast.

On the eve of Palm Sunday, on Saturday, the pre-holiday service is held, the curtain of the tabernacle is opened, and the next day the festive Holy Liturgy is celebrated with the curtain open.

On the morning of Palm Sunday, olive or willow branches are blessed in churches and distributed to the people. The willow branches, which are barren, symbolize the pagans, who bore fruit only after being offered to Christ. The softness of the branches symbolizes the humility of Christ’s followers. The willow branches are our offerings to the Lord, just as the offerings brought by the Magi from the East on Christmas Day.

Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem as King, symbolically showing His being the King of Glory, Who removes the curse and gives life. Jesus came to preach the gospel to the poor, heal the brokenhearted, set the captives free, and grant sight to the blind, as the prophet Isaiah had prophesied.