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Holy Week

Introduction

The most solemn week of the Christian year, Holy Week is the week leading up to Easter, and is the week during which Christians particularly remember the last week of Jesus's life. Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday.

The Way of Suffering - Via Dolorosa

In Holy Week 2008 Peter Owen Jones joined pilgrims in Jerusalem as they followed in the footsteps of Jesus at his crucifixion by re-enacting the 'via dolorosa' (Way of Suffering) of Jesus.

Palm Sunday

Find the date for Palm Sunday 2014 in the multifaith calendar

Palm Sunday commemorates Christ's triumphant arrival in Jerusalem to the cheers of the crowd.

Later in that week many of the people in that cheering crowd would be among those shouting that Jesus should be executed.

Symbolism

Christian clergy will often use the Palm Sunday story to help people think about the strength of their own commitment to their faith. They may ask believers to think about times that they have been unfaithful to Christ, or been hypocritical in proclaiming their support.

Church services

In many churches, during Palm Sunday services, large palm branches are carried in processions.

In Anglican and Roman Catholic churches, members of the congregation hold small crosses made of palm leaf, both to remember the palm leaves which the people of Jerusalem waved when Jesus arrived, and to remember the cross on which he died.

Some Christians display the crosses from that service in their homes during the year as a symbol of their faith. The crosses are burned at the start of Lent the next year to provide the ash for Ash Wednesday.

Hymns for Palm Sunday generally include Ride on, Ride on in Majesty and All glory, laud and honour.

Songs may include Make Way, Hosanna, and (for children) We have a King who Rides a Donkey.

Maundy Thursday

Find the date for Maundy Thursday 2014 in the multifaith calendar

Jesus washed the feet of his disciples ©

Maundy Thursday is the Thursday before Easter. Christians remember it as the day of the Last Supper, when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples and established the ceremony known as the Eucharist.

The night of Maundy Thursday is the night on which Jesus was betrayed by Judas in the Garden of Gethsemane.

The word maundy comes from the command (mandate) given by Christ at the Last Supper, that we should love one another.

In Roman Catholic churches the anthem Mandatum novum do vobis (a new commandment I give to you) would be sung on Maundy Thursday.

In many other countries this day is known as Holy Thursday.

Maundy Thursday ceremonies

In Britain, the sovereign takes part in the Ceremony of the Royal Maundy.

Maundy coins ©

This ceremony, held at a great cathedral, involves the distribution of Maundy money to deserving senior citizens (one man and one woman for each year of the sovereign's age), usually chosen for having done service to their community.

They receive ceremonial red and white purses which contain coins made especially for the occasion. The white purse contains one coin for each year of the monarch's reign.

The red purse contains money in place of other gifts that used to be given to the poor.

In the 17th century, and earlier, the King or Queen would wash the feet of the selected poor people as a gesture of humility, and in remembrance of Jesus' washing the feet of the disciples. The last monarch to do this was James 2. The ceremony of the monarch giving money to the poor on this day dates back to Edward 1.

Pedilavium: the washing of the feet

Roman Catholic church services feature a ceremony in which the priest washes the feet of 12 people to commemorate Jesus' washing the feet of his disciples.

It was common in monasteries throughout history for the Abbot to wash the feet of the monks in a similar gesture.

Some other churches nowadays also have foot-washing ceremonies as part of their Maundy Thursday services.

The consecration of holy oil

In Roman Catholic churches, Maundy Thursday is usually the day on which the supply of anointing oil to be used in ceremonies during the year is consecrated.

This is done at a special Chrism Mass.

Good Friday

Find the date for Good Friday 2014 in the multifaith calendar

Good Friday commemorates Jesus' crucifixion ©

The most important events in Christianity are the death and later resurrection of Jesus Christ, who Christians believe is the Son of God, and whose life and teachings are the foundation of Christianity.

Good Friday is the Friday before Easter. It commemorates the Passion: the execution of Jesus by crucifixion.

Learning Zone video:

Services

Good Friday is a day of mourning in church. During special Good Friday services Christians meditate on Jesus' suffering and death on the cross, and what this means for their faith.

In some countries, there are special Good Friday processions, or re-enactments of the Crucifixion.

The main service on Good Friday takes place between midday and 3pm. In many churches it takes the form of a meditation based on the seven last words of Jesus on the cross, with hymns, prayers, and short sermons.

The last words from the cross

The Bible quotes seven last sentences that Jesus spoke from the Cross.

The seven last words have inspired a number of composers, including Schutz, Haydn, Dubois, and James MacMillan.

Holy Saturday

Find the date for Holy Saturday 2014 in the multifaith calendar

Around a charcoal burner ©

Holy Saturday is the Saturday after Good Friday which is often, but wrongly, called Easter Saturday.

Easter vigil service

Find the date for Easter 2014 in the multifaith calendar

The Easter vigil service is the first Easter service, and takes place on the night of Holy Saturday.

Clergyman with Paschal candle ©

The idea behind the service is for faithful Christians to wait and watch, hopeful and confident that Christ will return at midnight.

The Easter, or Paschal, candle is lit during this service. The service traditionally begins outside the church, where minister and some worshippers gather around a fire - a charcoal brazier is common.

The service begins with words like these:

After readings and prayers, the Paschal candle is lit from the fire using a taper, while a prayer like the one below is said.

The lit candle is now a symbol of Christ, risen as the light of the world, and come into the midst of the people.

Clergyman lighting the Paschal candle ©

After being lit outside, the candle is carried into the church, where most of the worshippers are waiting in darkness, which symbolises the darkness of Christ's tomb.

After more prayers and readings, the candles held by the congregation are lit from the Paschal candle.

The symbolism of the candle is made very clear by words such as...

The readings at the service tell of the creation of humanity, how humanity fell from grace, and was repeatedly rescued by God. The readings remind people of God's promise to be with them always.

The Paschal candle

Paschal candle ©

The Paschal candle is made of pure white wax and is marked with a cross, an Alpha, and an Omega, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. The 4 numbers of the year are marked between the arms. This symbolises that Christ has been, is now and always will be with humanity.

Paschal candles are usually large, and can cost over £100. For much of the year many churches stand the paschal candle near the font used for baptisms. Here it provides a reminder that baptism is a symbolic death and rebirth with Christ; just like Christ's death and Resurrection.

Holy Saturday is followed by Easter Sunday.

Find out more

• Find dates for Holy Week
• Easter
• The Passion of Christ
• Why did Jesus die?