When Is Holy Week This Year: Jesus’ last week on earth and the important events that led up to his resurrection on Easter Sunday are remembered during Holy Week, a Christian holiday. When it happens depends on when the movable Easter feast falls, but it usually takes place in the last week of Lent, right before Easter Sunday.
Holy Week includes important Christian holidays and celebrations like Good Friday and Holy Thursday (also called Maundy Thursday). In some cases, Holy Saturday, which comes after Easter Saturday, is mistaken for Palm Sunday.
In contrast to Holy Week, Easter Sunday is the first day of Easter Week, which comes after Holy Week and is the most joyful time of the year.
Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate Holy Week starting with Lazarus Saturday, the day before Palm Sunday. This day sets the tone for the rest of the holy days.
A Prayer to Start the Holy Week
My mind is wandering as I stand here at the start of Holy Week, a week that reminds us of Jesus’ suffering and death in your church. Move my attention to the One who comes in your name—the One who answers our prayers and opens the gates of righteousness. “Lord God, I thank you, acknowledging your boundless goodness and unending mercy.”
May I follow in his steps and share in his resurrection. As the one true God, Jesus Christ, our Lord, rules forever with you and the Holy Spirit. Amen. “Lord, for lighting my path and bestowing upon us your son in human vulnerability, treading the very path we tread. Grant me clarity of sight to perceive his arrival and praise him with a soul untainted.” -Maria Miriam, instead,
Holy Week starts on Monday and ends on Wednesday.
Monday through Wednesday of Holy Week
Although it’s Holy Week, daily Mass still happens as usual, keeping its place and importance in the liturgical calendar.
Today’s readings from John and Matthew’s Gospels look at the story of how Judas betrayed Jesus. These readings set the mood for Thursday’s ceremony, which honors the Last Supper.
Everyone who is Christian between Palm Sunday and Holy Thursday usually goes to Taizé prayer meetings in the evening. For spiritual observation and introspection, these calm gatherings are a chance.
In some Catholic communities, these days are called “Holy Monday,” “Holy Tuesday,” and “Holy Wednesday,” but these names don’t mean as much as those for other Holy Week days. It’s more common for the USCCB to call these days “Monday of Holy Week,” “Tuesday of Holy Week,” and “Wednesday of Holy Week.”
History of Holy Week
Numerous names are used to refer to the important days of Holy Week. It’s called Passion Sunday or Palm Sunday because it remembers Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Let’s remember what happened to Jesus on Holy Monday, including the cursed fig tree and how He dealt with people who challenged His authority. Jesus often tells people what will happen to Him on Holy Tuesday.
As a reminder of Judas’ dishonesty as one of Jesus’ disciples and the fact that he lied to the chief priests about who Jesus really was, Holy Wednesday, also known as “Spy Wednesday,” is celebrated. In some churches on Spy Wednesday, there are Tenebrae services, where readings and psalms are said while candles are slowly put out to represent darkness.
On Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday, we celebrate the Holy Week Triduum. When you celebrate Maundy Thursday, which comes from the Latin word “mandate,” which means “command,” you remember how Jesus told His disciples to love each other as He loved them. Additionally, it shows the Last Supper, His prediction that He would die, Judas’ betrayal, and His arrest. Serving others by washing your feet is a moving tradition.
Being solemn, Good Friday remembers Jesus’ trial, condemnation, death, and burial. Church, fasting, and thinking about the cross are important to many Christians. For Christians, the Triduum ended on Holy Saturday, when Jesus rested in the crypt. With the late-night Easter Vigil on Easter Sunday, which remembers Jesus’ resurrection, Eastertide officially begins.
Engage in church services.
Protestants, Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans, Methodists, and Presbyterians all hold special services during Holy Week to remember and reflect on the events that led to Jesus’ betrayal, arrest, trial, death, and resurrection. Follow these traditions at a nearby church, starting with Palm Sunday’s celebration of the triumphal entry.
Enjoy the Easter movies.
Explore a variety of new and old Easter-themed movies that are great to watch by yourself, with family, or at a party. A great way to spend time with your family during the week is to watch Mel Gibson movies like “The Ten Commandments,” “The Last Temptation of Christ,” “Risen,” and “Passion of the Christ.”
Provide kids with meaningful experiences.
Practical experiences help kids understand things better. Add seasonal touches to your home to go with them. Crafts that you can do together include putting together Easter baskets, dying eggs, and making palm crosses. Create enjoyable and instructive Bible quizzes that focus on Holy Week. By giving the winners special treats, you can thank them and add a fun, competitive element to the learning process.
Why Holy Week is Important
Intimate Love for Seven Days
Passion Week, which remembers how much God loved the world by showing it His Son, Jesus, is the height of selflessness. The teachings of Jesus tell us to love each other no matter what and to be like Him by loving everyone no matter how far away they are or what their situation is.
An opportunity to reflect and make amends
Jesus’ suffering, unfair treatment, crucifixion, and resurrection are things we think about during Holy Week. It’s time to think about what we did wrong and ask those we hurt to forgive us, just as Jesus forgave Peter for betraying Him and the Roman soldiers who tortured Him.
“Devotion and Prayer Period”
During Holy Week, many different traditions and religious practices coincide. God and His Son, the Prince of Peace, are honored and worshiped. The celebration of Palm Sunday starts with waving palm branches and remembering all the great things He has done for people. We celebrate and mourn Christ’s death all week, joining the heavenly hosts in passionate praise and worship.
How is Holy Week celebrated today?
Daily activities during Holy Week include anointing with holy oil, washing feet, and taking communion. Every action clergy take during Holy Week is a reflection of what Jesus Christ did in his last week on earth.
Commemorating the historic event of Jesus’ resurrection around the world. A spiritually important period before Easter Sunday is called “Holy Week,” which is also known as “Passion Week.” Christ’s life before he was crucified and resurrected is remembered during this holy season, with a focus on his Passion, or the last days of his life. Between Palm Sunday and Holy Saturday, every day is especially holy.
Christians practice rituals like washing their feet, anointing with holy oils, and taking communion during Holy Week. Clan members do these ritual actions that represent what happened in Jesus Christ’s last days. Advances in theology have made it possible for clergy to do religious acts at the same times of the day that Jesus did. Easter is the holiest week in the Christian calendar because it remembers the end of Jesus Christ’s life and brings Christians together to worship and think deeply about it.
What week is Holy Week?
Holy Week, in the Christian church, the week between Palm Sunday and Easter, observed with special solemnity as a time of devotion to the Passion of Jesus Christ. In the Greek and Roman liturgical books, it is called the Great Week because great deeds were done by God during this week.
Jesus Christ’s crucifixion is remembered during Holy Week, which in the Christian church lasts from Palm Sunday to Easter. According to Greek and Roman liturgical texts, this is the Great Week, a time of major acts by God. “Holy Week” became well-known in the fourth century thanks to saints like St. Athanasius and St. Epiphanius.
On Holy Saturday and Good Friday, something special happened. Later, Wednesday was added to show how Judas planned to betray Jesus. By the start of the third century, people additionally observed the other days of the week. The first Christians celebrated the Passover in the church before the Council of Nicaea, on the night between the weekend and Easter Sunday.
Changes happened in the late 4th century. Christians celebrated the Passion and Death of Christ on Good Friday, his Burial on Saturday, and his Resurrection on Easter Sunday. On Maundy Thursday, people remembered how Judas betrayed Jesus and how the Eucharist was first gathered.
The Maxima Redemptoris decree (November 16, 1955) ordered that the descriptions of Holy Week celebrations in the Roman Missal be changed. Bringing the services back to the day and time they happened in the Bible was the point of the restoration.
What is Holy Week each day?
Holy Wednesday commemorates the betrayal of Jesus and the woman who anointed his feet. Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper. Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion. Holy Saturday commemorates the time that Jesus lay in the tomb, and culminates in the celebration of the resurrection early Sunday morning.
It tells in great detail the most important events that led up to Jesus Christ’s death on the cross and resurrection. “Holy Week” is the height of Christian devotion. Many traditional churches observe this holy week to remember important events that led up to the incredible story of Christ’s Passion and final victory.
Celebrate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, a day of worship and hope. We remember that Jesus was betrayed on Holy Wednesday, and the touching act of a woman anointing his feet shows deep acts of love and betrayal. Marking the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday is an emotional event that captures the spirit of community and selflessness.
Observing Good Friday is important because it remembers the crucifixion, which is a central event in Christian theology. The solemnity of Jesus’ burial is remembered on Holy Saturday. It is a time to think and look forward to the glorious resurrection.
Celebrations of Easter Sunday, the holiest day of the week, shine a light on the glorious victory of life over death, renew faith, and bring forth the everlasting promise of hope and redemption. As a reminder of the core of the Christian faith, each day is filled with devotion and meaning that calls all Christians to think, be thankful, and be spiritually refreshed.
What are the symbols of Holy Week?
Among the most poignant symbols of Holy Week are the bread and wine. These images recall Jesus’ institution of the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper on the day before his crucifixion. During that Passover meal, Jesus offered himself as the sacrificial lamb by transforming bread and wine into his own Body and Blood.
Two very important symbols of Holy Week are bread and wine. Celebrating the Last Supper, the day before Jesus was crucified when he set up Holy Communion, these pictures represent that event. While everyone was eating the Passover meal, Jesus turned the bread and wine into his own body and blood, becoming the sacrificed lamb.
Iconic images of Holy Week, like bread and wine, have deep meanings. The most important thing that happened was when Jesus started Holy Communion at the Last Supper, the night before he was crucified. While they were eating Passover, Jesus offered himself as a sacrifice by turning the bread and wine into his own Body and Blood.
Last Thursday, during the Last Supper, the Apostles were told to stay awake with the Body and Blood while Jesus suffered in the garden. Christians remember this moving event by removing the Eucharist from the Tabernacle and putting it on an altar of repose on Holy Thursday.
The holy crowd gathered to worship the Blessed Sacrament and joined Christ in a vigil, showing how watchful the Apostles were during his worst pain.
What is one fact about Holy Week?
On Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, Christians reflect on the Last Supper and the crucifixion. During the Last Supper, Jesus began the rituals of foot washing and communion, which are both common Holy Week traditions, and these days are usually somber times for reflection on sin and death.
Christians celebrate Holy Week, which lasts eight days, and remember the important things Jesus did in the days before he died on the cross and rose from the dead. It is the holiest and most solemn event in the liturgical year and a time for deep reflection and holiness. Holidays for religious reasons happen during Holy Week, which lasts from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday.
Ancient Greek and Roman religious texts say that God did great things during the Great Week. The word “Holy Week” was first used by saints like St. Athanasius and St. Epiphanius in the fourth century. This is an old tradition that has been respected for a long time.
Holy Week, which starts on Palm Sunday, remembers Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The famous palm-palm procession is a custom that goes back hundreds of years. At first, only Holy Friday and Holy Saturday were seen as holy days. But when Wednesday was added, the day Judas betrayed Jesus, Holy Week became even more important.
Holy Thursday, which is also called Maundy Thursday, is a day to remember the Last Supper. The Triduum is a time of deep reflection and worship. It includes Good Friday, which remembers Jesus’ death on the cross, and Holy Saturday.
The Christian schedule has important religious events during Holy Week, which is right before Easter. The Apostolical Constitutions, which were written in the third and fourth centuries and required people to fast completely on Friday and Saturday, are where the tradition of celebrating this week as a group came from. Dionysius Alexandrinus wrote his canonical letter around 260 AD. In it, he talked about 91 days of fasting, which suggests that fasting was popular in his time.
The historical record raises doubts about the truth of a decree credited to the Roman Emperor Constantine that said all government offices had to be closed for seven days before and after Easter. However, the Codex Theodosianus made it clear that courts should be closed for these fifteen days.
People all over the world knew about the gathering that happened on Sabbatum Magnum, which is also known as Holy Saturday or Easter Eve. It was a sign of hope for Christ’s second coming.
The Pilgrimage of Etheria and other early Church writings went into great depth about what people did during Holy Week. During Holy Week, the liturgical customs of Catholics, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, and Anglicans are very similar to those of other Western Christian denominations.
The Moravian Church celebrates Passion Week in great detail from the evening of Palm Sunday until Easter morning. Each day, services with litanies, prayers, songs, and readings bring to life Christ’s last days. Their Easter Sunrise service, which began in 1732, is the last act of worship for this week.