Palm Sunday, observed to commemorate Jesus Christ’s entry into Jerusalem, has ushered in Passion Week for Christians in the city who are set to participate in the Holy Week rituals over this week.
The week is the culmination of the lent period of 40 days, during which Christians abstain from eating non-vegetarian food. The lent will conclude at the end of this week, on Easter Sunday.
At the St. Joseph’s Metropolitan Cathedral in Palayam, Metropolitan Archbishop of the Latin Archdiocese of Thiruvananthapuram M. Susaipakiam led the Palm Sunday prayers. Later, churchgoers went on a procession carrying palm leaves. On Monday, chrism mass will be held when the olive oil used for various ceremonies including baptism will be blessed. On Maundy Thursday, the Bishop will wash the feet of 12 disciples. On Friday, a joint ‘Way of the Cross’ ceremony will be held, in which representatives of the Latin, Malankara, and Suiryani churches will participate. At 11.30 p.m. on Saturday, prayers will be held at the church.
At the St. Mary’s Cathedral in Pattom, Cardinal Mar Baselios Cleemis led the Palm Sunday prayers. On Maundy Thursday, prayers will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Cardinal will lead the feet-washing ceremony. The Easter prayers on Saturday night will be led by Bishop Samuel Mar Irenios. The Sunday prayers will be led by Father James Paravila.
At the Mateer Memorial CSI Church, Palayam, the Holy Saturday will witness an Easter symphony programme apart from other prayer programmes. At the St. Peter’s Patriarchal Cathedral in Punnen Road, Metropolitan Geevargis Mar Koorilos led the prayers on Sunday.
