Palm Sunday, known as ‘Osana Perunaal’ in local parlance, was celebrated with religious fervour at various churches here on Sunday.
Special Palm Sunday service was held at churches in the morning. Believers took out processions, holding blessed palm fronds and crosses made of the tender coconut palm leaves, was the major attraction of the Palm Sunday celebrations at various churches.
The Pathanamthitta Bishop of the Malankara Catholic Church, Youhanon Mar Chrysostum, led the service at the St. Peter’s Cathedral in Pathanamthitta town. Believers, holding blessed palm fronds, took out a procession circumambulating the church.
The event, marking the beginning of the Holy Week recalling, was to commemorate the triumphant arrival of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem. Believers will observe the week ahead leading to Easter Sunday as Passion Week during which they commemorate Jesus Christ’s suffering, death on the cross, and resurrection.
Triduum
The three days prior to the Easter Sunday are traditionally considered part of an unbroken liturgical event called the Triduum.
The first part of the Passion Week will begin on the evening of Maundy Thursday on Thursday, recalling the day of the Last Supper during which Jesus was betrayed. The second day of the Triduum will be observed as Good Friday, commemorating crucifixion of Jesus Christ and Easter will be celebrated on the third day to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
