Holy Week

Holy Week: A Journey to the Cross and Resurrection

Easter lasts for 50 days, from Easter Sunday until the Day of Pentecost. During this season, the Church celebrates Jesus’ resurrection and anticipates his ascension into heaven.

“He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!”
— Philippians 2:8

Holy Week is the most sacred time in the Christian calendar. It is a week of deep reflection, worship, and remembrance as we walk with Jesus through His final days—His triumphal entry, the Last Supper, the agony in Gethsemane, His arrest, crucifixion, and finally, the glorious resurrection.

What is Holy Week?

Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday and ends with Easter Sunday. Each day carries spiritual significance and offers a unique opportunity to draw closer to God through prayer, Scripture, and worship.

Palm Sunday – Jesus enters Jerusalem as King. Palm Sunday, the Sunday before Easter, commemorates Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, recorded in all four Gospels. Riding a donkey, He was greeted by crowds waving palm branches and shouting “Hosanna!” Today, churches often mark the day with processions carrying palms or greenery, sometimes even including a real donkey.
Holy Monday is the second day of Holy Week, following Palm Sunday and leading up to Easter. It recalls events in the final week of Jesus’ earthly ministry, particularly those recorded in the Gospels after His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Traditionally, the Church focuses on two key moments: The cursing of the fig tree (Mark 11:12–14, 20–21; Matthew 21:18–22) – A symbolic act showing God’s judgment on fruitlessness, often understood as a call to genuine faith and repentance rather than outward religion alone. The cleansing of the Temple (Mark 11:15–19; Matthew 21:12–17; Luke 19:45–48) – Jesus drives out money changers and sellers, declaring God’s house a place of prayer, not exploitation. In Christian tradition, Holy Monday is a day of reflection on Christ’s authority, the call to spiritual fruitfulness, and the need for purity in worship. In some liturgical churches, the day is marked with special readings, prayers, and processions.
Holy Tuesday / Shrove Tuesday or ‘Pancake Day,’ is the last celebration before Lent. Traditionally, it was a time to use up rich foods like eggs and fat before the fasting period, which many Christians still observe. It falls 47 days before Easter, so the date changes each year.
Holy Wednesday / Ash Wednesday Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent’s 40 days of fasting and penitence, recalling Jesus’ time in the wilderness. Many attend church to receive a cross of ash on the forehead, often made from last year’s palm crosses, as a sign of repentance and trust in God.
Maundy Thursday – The Last Supper and Jesus’ command to love and serve. Maundy Thursday recalls the Last Supper Jesus shared with his disciples before his betrayal and arrest. The name comes from the Latin mandatum (“commandment”), referring to Jesus’ words: “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:34). That night, He washed His disciples’ feet as a servant, telling them to do the same. Many churches mark the day with foot-washing services to remember His call to serve others.
Good Friday – A solemn remembrance of Christ’s crucifixion. Good Friday is the most solemn day in the Christian year, marking Jesus’ crucifixion and death. Though its name may come from “God’s Friday,” Christians call it “good” because through Jesus’ sacrifice, believers are offered new life.
Holy Saturday – A quiet day of reflection and waiting. The day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday, when Christians remember the time Jesus lay in the tomb after his crucifixion. It is a day of quiet reflection, mourning, and waiting, marking the end of Lent. Traditionally, churches keep a solemn, prayerful atmosphere, with no celebration of the Eucharist until the evening. After sunset, many churches hold the Easter Vigil—a service that begins in darkness and moves into light, celebrating Christ’s resurrection with readings, prayers, the lighting of the Paschal candle, and the first joyful proclamation of “Alleluia” since Lent began.
Easter Sunday – The celebration of Christ’s resurrection and victory over death! Easter Sunday is the most joyful and important day in the Christian calendar, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. According to the Gospels, after being crucified on Good Friday and buried in a tomb, Jesus rose to life on the third day, fulfilling the Scriptures and demonstrating God’s victory over sin and death. For Christians, Easter is the foundation of their faith and the source of hope for eternal life. Churches are often filled with flowers—especially lilies—symbolising new life, and the services are marked by music, bells, and the exclamation “Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!” Many traditions include the lighting of the Paschal (Easter) candle, processions, and Holy Communion.

“This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son.” – 1 John 4:10

Reflect. Remember. Rejoice.

Holy Week invites us to reflect on Christ’s love, remember His sacrifice, and rejoice in His victory. Whether you’re attending in person or joining us online, we pray this week renews your heart and strengthens your faith.

Let us journey together toward the Cross—and beyond to the empty tomb.

Palm Sunday	Matthew 16:21-23 Zechariah 9:9 Mark 11:1-11 Matthew 7:24-27 John 11:47-50 John 12:23-28
Maundy Thursday	Exodus 12:11-15 Matthew 26:26-29 John 13:21-30 John 18:1-10, 12
Good Friday	Mark 14:53-64 John 18:28-38 Luke 23:5-12 Matthew 27:15-17 Isaiah 53:4-6 Acts 3:13-15 Mark 15:15-20, 22-27 Luke 23:39-48
Holy Saturday or Easter Eve	Matthew 27:62-66
Easter Sunday	Mark 16:1-8 John 20:1-21 Luke 24:13-19
Divine Mercy Sunday (1 week later – Catholic)	John 20:24-29
Into the future	Acts 10:34-43 2 Timothy 2:11-13 Matthew 21:-28: Mark 11:-16: Luke 19:-24: John 11:-21: