Palm Sunday stands among the most significant celebrations of the Orthodox Church. Marking the final Sunday before the Resurrection of Jesus, it ushers in Holy Week—the spiritual climax of Lent and a period of deep reflection and preparation for the faithful.
On the morning of the feast, worshippers gather in churches to receive blessed palm leaves—traditionally laurel branches—distributed by the priest. These are carefully kept at home, often placed in the family icon stand, as they are believed to carry protective and sacred qualities. In many households, they are even used in rituals intended to ward off the “evil eye.”
The day commemorates Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem, arriving humbly from Bethany on a donkey. He was greeted with great enthusiasm by the people, who cried out “Hosanna” and waved palm branches in His honor. Many spread their garments along His path, lending the moment the air of a royal procession.
Yet this celebratory entrance carries profound symbolism. It signals the beginning of the Passion—foretelling Christ’s suffering and Crucifixion. It is this duality, joy intertwined with the anticipation of sacrifice, that gives Palm Sunday its deeply moving resonance.
Traditions and Customs
From the earliest days of Christianity, Palm Sunday has been accompanied by enduring traditions that continue to this day. Churches are adorned with laurel, myrtle, and olive branches, and at the close of the liturgy, the blessed palms are distributed to the congregation.
During Byzantine times, the emperor himself would partake in the ceremony, distributing palms and crosses to the people in a ritual rich with symbolism and imperial grandeur. Across many regions of Greece, these branches are regarded as sacred objects believed to ward off evil and even possess healing properties.
They are placed not only in homes but also at entrances for protection. Newlyweds receive them as a blessing for a prosperous marriage, while in rural areas, they are hung on fruit trees and crops, in the belief that they promote fertility and protect against pests.
Fasting and the Palm Sunday Table
Palm Sunday offers a brief respite from the strict fasting of Lent. On this day, the consumption of fish, olive oil, and wine is permitted—an exception also observed on the Feast of the Annunciation. This tradition was established by the Church Fathers in honor of the feast’s importance.
Thus, even as it falls at the close of a long fasting period and on the threshold of Holy Week, Palm Sunday is celebrated with a sense of joy. It stands as a gentle foretaste of the Resurrection and the hope that Easter ultimately brings.
