Christians Join for Palm Sunday March

Apr 05, 2004 03:06 AM EDT

JERUSALEM -- About 3000 Christians around the world gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate Palm Sunday and walked the path that Jesus took to enter Jerusalem before his crucifixion, from the Mount Olives to the Old City in Jerusalem, Sunday, April 4. People were holding palm branches and crosses, calling out “Hosanna.”

Christians, especially the Catholics, in Latin America including Nicaragua and El Salvadore, also joined for Palm Sunday march locally in the cities, holding palm branches.

Many churches in the U.S. also held special services yesterday for Palm Sunday.

Starting Palm Sunday, Christians will enter Holy or Passion Week, where they are expected to focus on the passion and suffering of Jesus Christ until they celebrate his resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, Maundy Thursday commemorates Judas' betrayal of him and the beginning of the Eucharist at the Last Supper, Good Friday commemorates his passion and death, Saturday his burial, and Easter Sunday his resurrection.