Palm Sunday in United Kingdom

Many congregation members receive palms at Palm Sunday church services. ©iStockphoto.com/Khuong Hoang

What do people do?

Many churches in the United Kingdom have special services to celebrate Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. It is also a time for many Christians to remember his suffering before his death and resurrection. Many churches provide congregation members with small crosses made from palm leaves at special Palm Sunday services.  The priests or ministers bless these palms, which are also used to make the Ash Wednesday ashes for the next year. Many churches distribute palms in the shape of a cross.

Churches may also have a procession that involves people singing songs and waving palm leaves. Some churches give people pax cakes at the end of a service. Children’s activities on or around this event may include story telling about biblical events relating to Palm Sunday and crafts such as making palm crosses.

Public life

Palm Sunday is not a federal holiday in the United Kingdom. However, it is held on a Sunday, which is a non-school day and non-working day for many people living in the United Kingdom.

Background and Symbols

Many churches in the United Kingdom observe Palm Sunday as part of Holy Week. Palm Sunday in England was traditionally called Olive or Branch Sunday, as well as Sallow, Willow, Yew or Blossom Sunday. It was also called Sunday of the Willow Boughs. These names represent the local replacements for the traditional palm branches. Palms signify victory and joy, while pax cakes symbolize peace and goodwill.

About Palm Sunday in other countries

Palm Sunday Observances

Related holidays

• Maundy Thursday–Thursday, April 9, 2009
• Good Friday–Friday, April 10, 2009
• Holy Saturday–Saturday, April 11, 2009
• Easter Sunday–Sunday, April 12, 2009
• Easter Monday–Monday, April 13, 2009

Other holidays in April 2009 in United Kingdom

• First day of Passover (Thursday, April 9, 2009)
• Maundy Thursday (Thursday, April 9, 2009)
• Good Friday (Friday, April 10, 2009)
• Holy Saturday (Saturday, April 11, 2009)
• Easter Sunday (Sunday, April 12, 2009)
• Easter Monday (Monday, April 13, 2009)
• Last day of Passover (Thursday, April 16, 2009)
• Orthodox Good Friday (Friday, April 17, 2009)
• Orthodox Holy Saturday (Saturday, April 18, 2009)
• Orthodox Easter (Sunday, April 19, 2009)
• Orthodox Easter Monday (Monday, April 20, 2009)
• Yom HaShoah (Tuesday, April 21, 2009)
• Shakespeare Day (Thursday, April 23, 2009)
• St. George's Day (Thursday, April 23, 2009)
• Yom HaAtzmaut (Wednesday, April 29, 2009)

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