Children walked alongside donkeys this morning in Palm Sunday processions. Worshippers were greeted at churches with palm leaves and palm crosses.
It’s Palm Sunday, the beginning of the Christian Holy Week, leading up to the celebration of Easter next Sunday, April 17.
Millions of Christians worldwide carried palm leaves in processions today to recall Jesus riding a donkey into Jerusalem for Passover week nearly 2,000 years ago, when cheering crowds waved palms, hailing what they expected to be a political savior.
Jesus was later crucified by the Romans with crowds shouting approval, according to Gospel accounts.
Commemorating Palm Sunday with palm branches goes back to the early Christian church. It remains a favorite among parishioners, who are handed palm branches or palm crosses as they enter the church at many services.
Grace Bussey this morning attended the Palm Sunday procession at Highlands United Methodist Church in Birmingham, where churchgoers follow a donkey from Brother Bryan Park to the front lawn of the church before the morning service.
“This is thrilling,” she said. “My heart feels like it’s going to explode.”
