Journey to Pascha Series - Lesson #25: The Feast of Palms

The Sixth Sunday of Great Lent, known as Palm Sunday, marks the beginning of Holy Week, the most sacred period in the liturgical life of the Church. This feast commemorates Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies and proclaiming Him as the Messiah and King. However, the joy of this day is mixed with solemnity, as Christ enters Jerusalem not to claim an earthly throne, but to journey toward His Passion, Crucifixion, and ultimately, His Resurrection.

Theologically, Palm Sunday highlights Christ’s kingship, the fulfillment of prophecy, and the paradox of His divine humility. Eschatologically, it points toward His ultimate return as the victorious King and Judge at the end of time. It calls the faithful to walk with Christ through His Passion, preparing to experience His suffering, death, and the triumph of Pascha.

The Theological Themes of Palm Sunday

1. Christ as the King and the Fulfillment of Prophecy

Palm Sunday fulfills the Old Testament prophecy of Zechariah:

• "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, humble and riding on a donkey" (Zechariah 9:9).

• Jesus enters Jerusalem not on a warhorse, like an earthly king, but on a humble donkey, signifying that His kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36).

• The people recognize Him as the Messiah, crying out:
  "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel!" (John 12:13).

This reveals Christ as the true King—not a ruler of worldly power, but the King of Heaven, who will establish His reign through love, sacrifice, and victory over sin and death.

2. The Symbolism of the Palm Branches

The people spread their garments and wave palm branches, an act reserved for welcoming victorious rulers (2 Kings 9:13).

• In Jewish tradition, palm branches symbolize victory and joy.

• However, the victory Christ is about to achieve is not military conquest but the defeat of sin, death, and the devil through His Passion and Resurrection.

• The same people who cry "Hosanna" on Palm Sunday will later cry "Crucify Him" on Holy Friday, revealing the fickleness of human nature.

3. The Paradox of Christ’s Humility and Glory

• Palm Sunday presents a profound contrast:  Christ is welcomed as a King, yet He is riding a lowly donkey.  He is praised by the people, yet He is entering the city to suffer and die.

• This paradox emphasizes the mystery of divine humility—Christ’s glory is revealed not in earthly power, but in His willingness to lay down His life.

As St. Andrew of Crete writes:
"He who sits upon the throne of the heavens now sits upon a lowly donkey. He who stretches out the heavens like a tent is now stretched upon the Cross."

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Hymnography of Palm Sunday

Litya Tone 1

The Holy Spirit taught the Apostles to speak in many strange languages.

He also inspired the innocent Hebrew children to sing:

“Hosanna in the highest!//

Blessed is He that comes, the King of Israel!”

The Word of God Who has no beginning:

the Father’s co-eternal Son,

today comes to the city of Jerusalem,

enthroned on a dumb beast, the foal of an ass.

The Cherubim are afraid to gaze upon Him,

yet the children honor Him with palms and branches.

The Spirit inspires their song of praise:

“Hosanna in the highest! Hosanna to David’s Son,//

Who has come to save mankind from error!”

Six days before the feast of Passover,

Your voice resounded in the depths of hell, O Lord,

raising Lazarus who had been dead four days.

Then the children of the Hebrews danced and sang://

“Hosanna to our God! Glory to You!”

Tone 2

You have entered the Holy City, O Lord,

riding on the colt of an ass,

hastening to Your Passion,

that the Law and the Prophets might be fulfilled.

The Hebrew children greeted You with palms and branches,

heralding Your victorious Resurrection.//

Blessed are You, O Savior! Have mercy on us!

Glory to You, O Christ,

enthroned on high!

Today we lift up Your precious Cross,

as we await Your coming in glory.

The daughter of Zion is glad;

all nations on earth rejoice;

the children wave branches; the disciples make a carpet of clothes.

All the ends of the earth learn to cry to You://

“Blessed are You, O Savior! Have mercy on us!”

Tone 3

Six days before the Feast of Passover

Jesus came to Bethany.

He restored Lazarus to life,

announcing the coming resurrection.

Martha and Mary met Him, crying:

“Lord, if You had been here, our brother would not have died!”

But Jesus answered them,

“Have I not already told you:

If anyone believes in Me,

even if he dies, he shall live?

Show Me the place where you buried him!”//

Then the Creator of all cried out to him: “Lazarus, come forth!”