Congratulations on the feast of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem 2025: beautiful postcards on Palm Sunday

A week before Easter, which Orthodox Christians will celebrate on April 20, 2025, a big holiday is celebrated — the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, known in Russia as Palm Sunday. Izvestia recalls the history and traditions of the date.

The Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem – 2025: beautiful postcards and pictures

In 2025, Palm Sunday on the Orthodox calendar will be April 13.

Palm Sunday is associated with the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, when He rode into the city on a young donkey and all the inhabitants came out to meet Him. As the Gospel says, people took off their outer garments and threw them on the road along which Jesus was traveling. They covered His path with palm branches and greeted Him with shouts of "Hosanna!" as they usually addressed only the king. The reason for the rejoicing was the miracle that Jesus performed the day before, resurrecting Lazarus and thereby proving his right to be called the Son of God.

In the Christian tradition, the day of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem is considered a symbol of the future reign of God. This holiday has been celebrated by the Christian Church since the 3rd century, but it came to Russia in the 10th century. The holiday is also called the feast of "Vayi" (the branches of the date palm tree with which the inhabitants of Jerusalem greeted Jesus), the week of "Flower-bearing", "Color". In Russia, this holiday is called Palm Sunday, because in the north the first plant that comes to life after a long winter is willow.

The best congratulations on the feast of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem

On this day, believers stand at the divine service with willow branches consecrated in the temple and lighted candles in their hands, meeting the invisibly coming Christ. The consecration of willow trees is performed at the festive All-Night Vigil, that is, at the evening service on the eve of the holiday. After reading the Gospel, the priests burn incense to the willow trees, recite a prayer and sprinkle the branches with holy water. Sprinkling is usually repeated on the day of the feast itself, after the liturgy.

The willow branch symbolizes the victory of life over death — the Resurrection of the Lord. It was popularly believed that the consecrated willow cleanses and drives away evil spirits. Willow twigs were placed in the front corner behind the icon and kept all year round until the next Palm Sunday. In Russia, it was believed that a willow branch thrown against the wind would drive away a storm, thrown into a fire would pacify it, and planted in a field would protect crops. Willow earrings were recognized as endowed with healing power: they were given to infertile women to eat.

On Palm Sunday, believers who observe a 40-day fast are allowed to eat fish and drink wine.

Congratulations on Palm Sunday can be expressed in the following words:

"Congratulations on Palm Sunday! May the palm branch bring you health, happiness and longevity, and faith strengthen your spirit! May this day be filled with the most wonderful moments."

"Congratulations on Palm Sunday! I wish peace to your home, kindness and pure faith in your heart! May the branches of the consecrated willow protect you, and your soul will be calm and joyful."

Congratulations on Palm Sunday! With all my soul I wish to be away from sins and dark thoughts, always cherish a kind, sincere, sympathetic, generous person. May happiness and grace reign in life. May hope and true love never leave you. God bless you.

Happy Palm Sunday! May happiness envelop every corner of your home, kindness and bright events for you and your family!

Palm Sunday is followed by Holy Week, or Holy Week, the last week of Great Lent preceding Easter, during which the Last Supper, the trial, the sufferings and crucifixion, and the burial of Jesus Christ are remembered.