Holy Week Timeline: A Day-by-Day Guide From Palm Sunday to Easter 2024

The Holy Week, also known as Passion Week, is one of the most important periods in the Christian calendar. It is a sequence of eight days that provide an occasion for Christian community to contemplate the transformation in humanity brought about by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. The week starts with Palm Sunday, the day when Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem, and proceeded through the Last Supper, his crucifixion, culminating with Easter Sunday marking his resurrection. As the Holy Week will be observed from March 24 to March 31, here’s a detailed look at its timeline:

1. Palm Sunday: March 24Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, commemorating Jesus Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey. According to the Bible, the residents of Jerusalem greeted Jesus by waving palm branches and laying them on the ground in front of him. Churches often distribute palm branches on Palm Sunday to mark this occasion. The priest blesses the palms, and then the people carry them in a procession before entering the church.
2. Holy Monday: March 25This day commemorates Jesus’ cleansing of the Churches, where he removed wrongdoers and overturned the tables of those selling doves, stating, “My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers.”
3. Holy Tuesday: March 26This day is a remembrance of when priests or Pharisees collaborated with Herod the Great, the king of Judea appointed by Rome, to secure Jesus’ conviction.
4. Holy Wednesday: March 27On Holy Wednesday, Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ disciples, agreed to betray Jesus to the religious authorities for thirty pieces of silver. This event is often remembered in churches through the Tenebrae service, a solemn and contemplative service of psalms and readings.
5. Maundy Thursday: March 28Maundy Thursday is when Jesus had the Last Supper with his disciples, where he instituted the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. He also washed the feet of his disciples, emphasising the importance of service and humility. Maundy Thursday is a day of remembrance and reverence for the sacrament of Holy Communion, central to Christian worship.
6. Good Friday: March 29Good Friday marks Jesus’ crucifixion and death on the cross. It is a solemn day of fasting and penance, prompting Christians to reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice for humanity’s salvation. Many churches observe the Stations of the Cross, reflecting on the events leading to Jesus’ crucifixion.
7. Holy Saturday: March 30Holy Saturday is a day of waiting and anticipation, as Christians prepare to celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection. Easter Vigils are held in many churches, where the faithful gather for prayers, readings, and the lighting of the Paschal Candle, symbolising the light of Christ.
8. Easter Sunday: March 31Resurrection Day, or Easter Sunday, is one of the most important days in the Christian calendar, commemorating Jesus’ Resurrection from the dead. Churches hold special services, and families often gather for feasts and festivities. The Easter egg, symbolising new life and rebirth, is a popular tradition during this time.

Holy Week is a time for reflection, repentance, and celebration worldwide. Each day has its own special significance, reminding Christians of Jesus’ sacrifice and the hope of a new life in him. Whether through prayer, fasting, or acts of service, people are encouraged to deepen their faith and draw closer to God during this holy season.