Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday is a significant observance in the Christian liturgical calendar as it marks the beginning of Holy Week. In essence, it celebrates the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem before his crucifixion and resurrection. Key aspects of this day involve processions with palm branches, symbolizing the ones that were spread in Christ's path as he entered the city. Services often include readings of the Passion story and a mass, while many individuals also commemorate the day by receiving crosses made from palm fronds, which are considered tokens of peace and victory.

Dating back to the earliest centuries of the church, Palm Sunday has been observed by Christians worldwide, including those in Canada. The day is deeply tied to Canada's multiculturism, with its diverse Christian community consisting of Roman Catholics, Protestants, Orthodox Christians, and more, each bringing their unique traditions to the observance. Regardless of denominational differences, the day's significance remains intact: the humble entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, his imminent suffering, and ultimate resurrection.

In Canada, Palm Sunday observances often mirror those elsewhere. Churches of various denominations hold processions and other events to mark the day. Special services revolve around reading the Passion narrative from the Gospels and distributing palm leaves, usually fashioned into small crosses. Traditionally, these fronds are saved and burned to create the ashes used in Ash Wednesday services the following year. Canadians observe Palm Sunday at the beginning of Holy Week, the week preceding Easter Sunday, which often falls anytime between late-March and late-April, depending on the ecclesiastical approximation of the March equinox.