Holy Week is the Christian week from Palm Sunday through Holy Saturday. A Christian is a follower of Jesus of Nazareth, referred to as Christ. ... Palm Sunday is a moveable feast in the church calendar observed by Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant Christians. ... Orthodox pilgrims bathing with the Holy Fire in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Holy Saturday. ...

Holy Week in Puerto de Santa María, Cádiz, España

Each of the days of Holy Week has its own traditions of services in the West. Believers are encouraged to follow in their prayers with readings from the Gospel the account of each of the actions from the time of the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday to the crucifixion and death of Jesus on Good Friday and the resurrection on Easter Sunday. While each day has special mass celebrations in the Western churches, the week's most elaborate services are during Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, (Holy Saturday), and Easter). In the Reformation, emphasis was taken away from the Passion and placed upon the resurrection of Jesus, but contemporary Protestant Churches, as well as the Roman Catholic Church, hold the three days between Good Friday and Easter to be the holiest days of the calendar. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1600x1200, 409 KB) Author emijrp Description La Amargura, paso de palio. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1600x1200, 409 KB) Author emijrp Description La Amargura, paso de palio. ... For other uses, see Gospel (disambiguation). ... Jesus (8–2 BC/BCE to 29–36 AD/CE),[1] also known as Jesus of Nazareth, is the central figure of Christianity. ... Jerusalem (Hebrew:  , Yerushaláyim or Yerushalaim; Arabic:  , al-Quds (the Holy); official Arabic in Israel: أورشليم القدس, Urshalim-al-Quds (combining the Biblical and common usage Arabic names) is the capital and largest city[1] of the State of Israel with a population of 724,000 (as of May 24, 2006[2... Palm Sunday is a moveable feast in the church calendar observed by Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant Christians. ... Crucifixion of St. ... Good Friday is a holy day celebrated by most Christians on the Friday before Easter or Pascha. ... Resurrection of the Flesh (1499-1502) Fresco by Luca Signorelli Chapel of San Brizio, Duomo, Orvieto The term resurrection is used in the literal sense to mean either the religious concept of the reunion of the spirit and the body of a dead person, or the return to life of... This article is about the Christian festival. ... A Medieval Low Mass by a bishop. ... Easter Triduum (or Paschal Triduum) is a term used by some Christian churches, particularly the Roman Catholic Church, to denote, collectively, the last three days before Easter Sunday. ... In the Christian calendar, Holy Thursday (also called Maundy Thursday) is the Thursday before Easter, the day on which the Last Supper is said to have occurred. ... Good Friday is a holy day celebrated by most Christians on the Friday before Easter or Pascha. ... Orthodox pilgrims bathing with the Holy Fire in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Holy Saturday. ... This article is about the Christian festival. ... The Protestant Reformation was a movement which began in the 16th century as a series of attempts to reform the Roman Catholic Church, but ended in division and the establishment of new institutions, most importantly Lutheranism, Reformed churches, and Anabaptists. ... The Passion is the technical term for the suffering and Agony of Jesus that led directly to the Crucifixion, a central Christian event. ... Protestantism is a general grouping of denominations within Christianity. ... Catholic Church redirects here. ...

Eastern Orthodox Christianity

In Eastern Orthodox Christianity, during Holy Week, Orthros (Matins) services for each day are held during the preceding evening. Thus, the Matins service of Monday is sung on Palm Sunday evening, and so on. (The services of Sunday through Tuesday evenings are often called Bridegroom Matins, because of their theme of Christ-as-Bridegroom.) Eastern Orthodoxy (also called Greek Orthodoxy and Russian Orthodoxy) is a Christian tradition which represents the majority of Eastern Christianity. ... For the Anglican service of Mattins see Morning Prayer Matins is the early morning prayer service in the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox liturgies of the canonical hours. ...

In many churches, especially Greek Orthodox, a service of Anointing (Holy Unction) is held on Wednesday evening. To anoint is to apply perfumed oil. ...

Divine Liturgy of the Last Supper is held on the morning of Holy Thursday. Matins of Holy Friday, with its Twelve Gospel Readings, is held on the evening of Holy Thursday; Vespers of Holy Friday (Vespers of the Unnailing) is held in the morning or afternoon of Holy Friday. The figure of Christ is taken down from the Cross, and a richly-embroidered icon on the cloth called the "epitaphios" representing Christ laid in a "tomb" decorated with flowers. Matins of Holy Saturday is held on the evening of Holy Friday; the tomb is sprinkled with rose petals and rose water, and then carried in a candlelit procession, while a set of hymns called "The Lamentations" is being sung. The Divine Liturgy is the common term for the eucharistic service of the Byzantine tradition of Christian liturgy. ... The Last Supper fresco in Milan (1498), by Leonardo da Vinci According to gospel, the Last Supper was the last meal Jesus shared with his apostles before his death. ...

Divine Liturgy is held Saturday morning. This is the "Proti Anastasi" (First Resurrection) service, with a change from dark vestments to light ones.

Saturday night at midnight, the service begins in darkness. A single candle is lighted by the priest, from a light on the altar which is never extinguished. The light spreads from person to person until everyone holds a lighted candle. The Divine Liturgy follows. A reception or party usually follows, sometimes lasting till dawn. Slavs bring Easter baskets filled with eggs, meat, butter, and cheese -- foods from which the faithful have abstained during Lent -- to be blessed.

Agape Vespers, during which Gospel is read in as many different languages as possible, is usually held on Easter Day. It is often combined with an Easter egg hunt and other activities for children, but there is no regular Sunday morning Liturgy.

Holy Week Activities

Palm Sunday

• Beginning of the holy week.
• Remembrance of the entrance of the messiah into Jerusalem.
• Mass is dominated by the reading of the Passion – narrative of Jesus’ capture, sufferings and death.
• Church celebrates Christ’s entrance into Jerusalem to accomplish his paschal mystery.

Palm Sunday is a moveable feast in the church calendar observed by Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant Christians. ...

The Procession:

• The people assemble somewhere distinct from the church. Some carry palm branches.
• Priest and ministers put on red.
• A song receiving Christ is sung.
• Priest greets the people.
• Prayers are said. After each prayer there is a pause.
• Blessing of the branches with holy water.
• Lord’s entrance from the gospel is said.
• Procession begins to the Church while the people sing.
• Mass is said.

Good Friday

• No mass
• The Church mourns for Christ’s death, reverences for the cross, and marvels at His life for his obedience till death.
• The Sacraments are not celebrated on this day or even the next day.
• The altar has no cloth.
• Celebration of the Lord’s Passion occurs in the afternoon
• The priest wears red. After a short silence, prayer is said.
• The celebration commences.
• Celebration consists only of liturgy of the word, veneration of the cross, and the Holy Communion.

Good Friday is a holy day celebrated by most Christians on the Friday before Easter or Pascha. ...

Easter Vigil

• Takes place during the night.
• The Gospel reminds us to have our lamps ready, to be like men waiting for the Lord’s return so that when he arrives we He will find us wide awake and will seat us at his table.
• Night vigil is arranged in four parts:
  • A brief service of light;
  • Liturgy of the word;
  • Liturgy of baptism;
  • Liturgy of the Eucharist.
• The priest wears white.
• Part I: Service of light:
  • All lights of the church are put out.
  • A fire is prepared outside the Church
  • One of the ministers carry the Easter Candle.
  • The priest greets the people then the fire is blessed.
  • After the prayer, the Easter candle is lighted from the new fire.
• Procession:
  • The priest takes up the candle and sings: “Christ our light” and the people answers: “Thanks be to God”.
  • All enters the Church and the priest takes up the candle for the second time and sings: “Christ our light” and the people answers: “Thanks be to God”.
  • When the priest arrives at the altar the rite is repeated: Priest takes up the candle for the third time and sings: “Christ our light” and the people answers: “Thanks be to God”.
  • Then all lights in the Church are put on.
• Easter Proclamation (Exsultet)
• Part II : Liturgy of the word
  • Nine Readings are provided, seven from the Old Testament and two from the New Testament. (the epistle and gospel)
  • After the Easter Proclamation, the candles are put aside and all sit down. Before the readings begin, the priest speaks about Easter.
  • The readings follow from:

1. The book of Genesis 1:1-2:2 The Creation
2. The book of Genesis 22:1-18 Abraham’s sacrifice
3. The book of Exodus 14:15-15:1 People of Israel leaving the slavery of Egypt
4. The book of the prophet Isaiah 54:5-14 God speaking to the miserable, oppressed people of Israel
5. The book of the prophet Isaiah 55:1-11 God’s covenant with Israel. (God’s magnificent promise)
6. The book of the prophet Baruch 3:9-15,32-4:4 Wisdom of God
7. The book of the prophet Ezekiel 36:16-28 God’s promises to Ezekiel. (all was fulfilled in Jesus Christ)
8. Epistle: The letter of Paul to the Romans 6:3-11
   Lessons on the death and resurrection of Christ
   Alleluia
   Gospel
9. Year A: holy gospel according to Matthew 28:1-10 (Women finding and witnessing to the empty tomb) / Year B: holy gospel according to Mark 16:1-8 (Women are frightened by the empty tomb and the angel’s message about resurrection) / Year C: holy gospel according to Luke 24:1-12 (Women see the empty tomb and are told by angels of the Resurrection)

• Part III: Liturgy of Baptism
  • A vessel of water is placed in the sanctuary
  • Candidates for Baptism is presented
• Litany
  • The Litany is sung. The procession begins: Easter Candle first, followed by the candidates then the priest and ministers.
• Blessing of Water
  • The priest blesses the baptismal water and prays. The candle is then taken out of the water and people sing the acclamation. Then the baptismal rites proceed.
• Renewal of Baptismal Promises
  • After the rite of baptism, all present renew their baptismal profession of faith.
  • The priest sprinkles the people with water while the people sing.
  • The profession of faith is omitted and proceeds to the Liturgy of the Eucharist
• Liturgy of the Eucharist

Easter Sunday

• The Feast of the Resurrection.
• The Church’s greatest feast

Holy Week throughout the world

Philippines

In this largely Roman Catholic nation, Holy Week, known as Semana Santa, is treated as one of the most important religious festivals of the entire year. At Mass on Palm Sunday, Catholics carry "palaspas" or palm leaves to be blessed by the priest. Many Filipinos bring home the palm leaves after the Mass and place these above their front doors or their windows, believing that doing so can ward off evil spirits. Holy Monday marks the beginning of the Pabasa (literally, reading) or Pasyon, the marathon chanting of the story of Jesus' life, passion, and death, which continues day and night, for as long as two straight days. A popular Holy Thursday tradition is the Bisita Iglesia (Church Visit), which involves visiting several Churches at which the faithful would pray the Stations of the Cross. The last Mass before Easter is also celebrated on Holy Thursday, usually including a reenactment of the Washing of the Feet of the Apostles; this Mass is followed by the procession of the Blessed Sacrament before it is taken to the Altar of Repose. Good Friday in the Philippines is commemorated with street processions, the Way of the Cross, the commemoraton of Jesus' Seven last words (Siete Palabras) and a Passion play called the Sinakulo. In some communities (most famously in the province of Pampanga), the processions include devotees who self-flagellate and sometimes even have themselves nailed to crosses as expressions of penance. After three o'clock in the afternoon of Good Friday (the time at which Jesus is traditionally believed to have died), noise is discouraged, bathing is proscribed and the faithful are urged to keep a solemn and prayerful disposition through Black Saturday. Easter morning is marked with joyous celebration, the first being the dawn Salubong, wherein large statues of Jesus and Mary are brought in procession together to meet, imagining the first reunion of Jesus and his mother Mary after Jesus' Resurrection. This is followed by the joyous Easter Mass. It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Holy Week. ... Unsolved problems in physics: What causes anything to have mass? Mass is a property of a physical object that quantifies the amount of matter and energy it is equivalent to. ... Palm Sunday is a moveable feast in the church calendar observed by Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant Christians. ... Pasyon is a narrative of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ woven into a poem with stanzas of five lines and each line having eight syllables. ... In the Christian calendar, Holy Thursday (also called Maundy Thursday) is the Thursday before Easter, the day on which the Last Supper is said to have occurred. ... The Stations of the Cross (or Way of the Cross; in Latin, Via Crucis or Via Dolorosa) refers to the depiction of the final hours (or Passion) of Jesus, and the Catholic devotion commemorating the Passion. ... This article is about the Christian festival. ... The Washing of the feet is a Catholic ceremony which is held on Holy Thursday (also known as Maundy Thursday). ... The Twelve Apostles (, apostolos, Liddell & Scott, Strongs G652, someone sent forth/sent out) were men that according to the Synoptic Gospels and Christian tradition, were chosen from among the disciples (students) of Jesus for a mission. ... The Blessed Sacrament is displayed in a procession at the 2005 Southeastern Eucharistic Congress. ... The altar of repose is an altar in a Catholic church where the Communion host, consecrated in the Mass on Holy Thursday, is reserved until the Mass of the Presanctified on the following day, Good Friday. ... Good Friday is a holy day celebrated by most Christians on the Friday before Easter or Pascha. ... The Stations of the Cross (or Way of the Cross; in Latin, Via Crucis or Via Dolorosa) refers to the depiction of the final days (or Passion) of Jesus, and the Roman Catholic and Anglican devotion commemorating the Passion. ... A Passion play is a dramatic presentation depicting the suffering and death of Jesus. ... Pampanga is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. ... Whipping on a post Flagellation is the act of whipping (Latin flagellum, whip) the human body. ... Orthodox pilgrims bathing with the Holy Fire in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Holy Saturday. ... Resurrection of the Flesh (1499-1502) Fresco by Luca Signorelli Chapel of San Brizio, Duomo, Orvieto The term resurrection is used in the literal sense to mean either the religious concept of the reunion of the spirit and the body of a dead person, or the return to life of...

Seville, Spain

Seville arguably holds the most elaborate processions for Holy Week anywhere in the world. A tradition that dates from medieval times which has spread to other cities in Andalusia, the "Semana Santa en Sevilla" is notable for featuring the procession of "pasos", lifelike wood or plaster sculptures of individual scenes of the events that happened between Jesus' arrest and his burial, or images of the Virgin Mary showing grief for the torture and killing of her son. These pasos are physically carried in the shoulders of costaleros (literally "sack men", usually bodybuilder types who are used to carrying extreme weights), and can weight up to five metric tonnes. The pasos are set up and maintained by hermandades and cofradías, religious brotherhoods that are common to a specific area of the city, whose precede the paso dressed in Roman military costumes or penitential robes. Those members who wish to do so wear these penitential robes with conical hats, or "capirotes", used to conceal the face of the wearer (these robes intentionally served as the basis for the traditional uniform for members of the Ku Klux Klan in the United States). These "Nazarenos" carry processional candles, may walk the city streets barefoot, and may carry shackles and chains in their feet as penance. A brass band may accompany the group, playing funereal religious hymns or "marchas" written for the occasion. This article is about the city in Spain. ... Seville (Spanish: Sevilla, see also different names) is the artistic, cultural, and financial capital of southern Spain, irrigated by the river Guadalquivir (, ). It is the capital of Andalusia and of the province of Sevilla. ... The Middle Ages formed the middle period in a traditional schematic division of European history into three ages: the classical civilization of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and modern times, beginning with the Renaissance. ... Motto: Andalucía por sí, para España y la humanidad (Andalusia by herself, for Spain, and for humankind) Capital Seville Official language(s) Spanish Area  â€“ Total  â€“ % of Spain Ranked 2nd  87,268 km²  17. ... Bodybuilder Anders Graneheim (Sweden) Bodybuilding is the sport of developing muscle fibers through the combination of weight training, increased caloric intake, and rest. ... The costume of the Ku Klux Klan is perhaps the most distinctive feature of that organization, and is recognised worldwide. ...

Other countries around the world

Cities famous for their Holy Week processions include:

• Colombia
  • Popayán

• Guatemala
  • Antigua Guatemala
  • Guatemala City

• Italy
  • Taranto

• Peru
  • Ayacucho
  • Cusco
  • Huaraz
  • Tarma

• Philippines
  • Angono
  • Baliuag
  • Bantayan Island
  • Malolos
  • Paete
  • Pampanga

• Spain
  • Andalusia
    • Granada
    • Málaga, declared of international touristic interest
    • Seville, declared of international touristic interest [1]
  • Castile and Leon
    • León, declared of international touristic interest [2]
    • Valladolid, declared of international touristic interest
    • Zamora, declared of international touristic interest
  • Castile-La Mancha
    • Toledo [3]
    • Tobarra, declared of national touristic interest [4]
    • Hellin, declared of national touristic interest
  • Murcia
    • Murcia, declared of national touristic interest [5]

Popayán is the capital of the Colombian Department of Cauca, with a population of about 215,000 people. ... Cathedral of San Francisco Antigua Guatemala (commonly referred to as just Antigua or La Antigua) is a city in the central mountains of Guatemala famous for its well-preserved Spanish New World Baroque architecture as well as a number of spectacular ruined churches. ... National Palace of Culture Guatemala City (in full, La Nueva Guatemala de la Asunción; locally known as Guatemala or Guate) is the capital and largest city of the nation of Guatemala. ... Founded 706 BC as Taras () Region Apulia Mayor Rossana Di Bello Area  - City Proper  217 km² Population  - City (2001)  - Density (city proper) 201,349 973/km² Time zone CET, UTC+1 Latitude Longitude 40°28 N 17°14 E www. ... Ayacucho is the capital of the department of Ayacucho in Peru. ... Cusco (also Cuzco, Qosqo, or Qusqu) is a city in southeastern Peru, near the Urubamba Valley (Sacred Valley) of the Andes mountain range. ... Central plaza Huaraz is a city in central Peru. ... Tarma is a city in Junín Región, Perú. It is located at around , , in the elevation of about 4000 m. ... Angono is a 1st class municipality in the province of Rizal, Philippines. ... Baliuag (also spelled as Baliwag) is a 1st class urban municipality in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. ... Bantayan Island is an island in the Philippines located at the western portion of the northern tip of Cebu. ... Malolos (Pop. ... Paete is a 4th-class urban municipality in the province of Laguna, Philippines. ... Pampanga is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. ... Motto: Andalucía por sí, para España y la humanidad (Andalusia by herself, for Spain, and for humankind) Capital Seville Official language(s) Spanish Area  â€“ Total  â€“ % of Spain Ranked 2nd  87,268 km²  17. ... Granada (Arabic: غرناطة) is a city and the capital of the province of Granada, in the autonomous region of Andalusia, Spain. ... Location within Spain Malaga redirects here. ... Seville (Spanish: Sevilla, see also different names) is the artistic, cultural, and financial capital of southern Spain, irrigated by the river Guadalquivir (, ). It is the capital of Andalusia and of the province of Sevilla. ... Capital Valladolid Area  – Total  – % of Spain Ranked 1st  94,223 km²  18,6% Population  – Total (2003)  – % of Spain  – Density Ranked 6th  2,480,369  5. ... Cathedral of León The Palacio de los Guzmanes, the provincial parliament (Diputación) in the capital Old local council Wikimedia Commons has media related to: León The city of León, located at 42. ... Plaza Mayor and city hall, Valladolid Valladolid is an industrial city and its municipality in central Spain, upon the Rio Pisuerga and within the Ribera del Duero region. ... Zamora is a city in Castile-Leon, Spain, the capital of the province of Zamora. ... Capital Toledo Area  â€“ Total  â€“ % of Spain Ranked 3rd 79 463 km² 15,7% Population  â€“ Total (2003)  â€“ % of Spain  â€“ Density Ranked 9th  1 782 038  4,3%  22,43/km² Demonym  â€“ English  â€“ Spanish  Castilian-Manchego  castellano-manchego Statute of Autonomy August 16, 1982 ISO 3166-2 CM Parliamentary representation  â€“ Congress seats... [[ Image:Toledo, Spain Toledo is a city and municipality located in central Spain, about 70 kilometers south of Madrid. ... Tobarra has 7344 inhabitants between its urban helmet and its villages: Cordovilla, Santiago de Mora, Aljubé, Sierra, Mora de Santa Quiteria, Los Mardos and Villegas. ... Hellín is a town and municipality located in the south of the province of Albacete, in Castile-La Mancha, Spain. ... Murcia () is a city and municipality on the river Segura in southeastern Spain and the capital of the Autonomous Community of the Region of Murcia. ... Murcia () is a city and municipality on the river Segura in southeastern Spain and the capital of the Autonomous Community of the Region of Murcia. ...

See also

• Easter (or Pascha)
• liturgical year
• Catholic Holy Week procession.

This article is about the Christian festival. ... The liturgical year, also known as the Christian year, consists of the cycle of liturgical seasons in some Christian churches which determines when Feasts, Memorials, Commemorations, and Solemnities are to be observed and which portions of Scripture are to be read. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Holy Week. ...

External links

• The Days of Holy Week at The Christian Resource Institute
• Great Lent, Holy Week and Pascha at the Greek Orthodox Church of America