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Palm Sunday in United Kingdom

Quick Facts

Palm Sunday in the United Kingdom celebrates Jesus Christ’s entry into Jerusalem. It is also the Sunday before Easter Sunday.

Name

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday 2012

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Palm Sunday 2013

Sunday, March 24, 2013
List of dates for other years

Many Christians in the United Kingdom remember Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, which marks the beginning of Holy Week. This day is also on the Sunday before Easter Sunday.

Cross palms

Many congregation members receive palms at Palm Sunday church services. ©iStockphoto.com/Steven Allan

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

Read more about Palm Sunday.

Palm Sunday Observances

WeekdayDateYearNameHoliday typeWhere it is observed
SunMar 301980Palm SundayChristian 
SunApr 121981Palm SundayChristian 
SunApr 41982Palm SundayChristian 
SunMar 271983Palm SundayChristian 
SunApr 151984Palm SundayChristian 
SunMar 311985Palm SundayChristian 
SunMar 231986Palm SundayChristian 
SunApr 121987Palm SundayChristian 
SunMar 271988Palm SundayChristian 
SunMar 191989Palm SundayChristian 
SunApr 81990Palm SundayChristian 
SunMar 241991Palm SundayChristian 
SunApr 121992Palm SundayChristian 
SunApr 41993Palm SundayChristian 
SunMar 271994Palm SundayChristian 
SunApr 91995Palm SundayChristian 
SunMar 311996Palm SundayChristian 
SunMar 231997Palm SundayChristian 
SunApr 51998Palm SundayChristian 
SunMar 281999Palm SundayChristian 
SunApr 162000Palm SundayChristian 
SunApr 82001Palm SundayChristian 
SunMar 242002Palm SundayChristian 
SunApr 132003Palm SundayChristian 
SunApr 42004Palm SundayChristian 
SunMar 202005Palm SundayChristian 
SunApr 92006Palm SundayChristian 
SunApr 12007Palm SundayChristian 
SunMar 162008Palm SundayChristian 
SunApr 52009Palm SundayChristian 
SunMar 282010Palm SundayChristian 
SunApr 172011Palm SundayChristian 
SunApr 12012Palm SundayChristian 
SunMar 242013Palm SundayChristian 
SunApr 132014Palm SundayChristian 
SunMar 292015Palm SundayChristian 

Related holidays

Other holidays in April 2012 in United Kingdom

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