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Christians locally and globally on Sunday are celebrating Palm Sunday, which marks the beginning of Holy Week and leads up to Easter and the celebration of the belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
For Palm Sunday, most Christian churches bless and hand out palm fronds to their congregations and do readings on the triumphant return of Jesus Christ to Jerusalem just before his crucifixion. According to the Bible's New Testament, Jesus rode a donkey into the city, and the celebrating people put cloaks and palm fronds on the ground before him to honor him.
In addition to regular services, Bishop William Lori will celebrate the 10:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday at Assumption Parish in Westport, with a celebration of his 10th anniversary as the head of the Roman Catholic Bridgeport Diocese to follow. And St. Pius X in Fairfield will host a Holy Hour at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, followed by solemn Compline and Benediction at 7:30, featuring chants in the candlelight.
Other religious events this week include Holy Thursday, which commemorates Christ's Last Supper with his apostles. Traditional rituals include a washing of the feet at services. On Good Friday, Christians remember the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Holy Saturday marks the day Christ's body was laid to rest. Easter Vigil services also take place after sundown. Easter Sunday celebrates the Christian belief that Christ rose from the dead after his crucifixion.
Many churches save and collect palm fronds for next year to burn to make ashes for Ash Wednesday, the start of the next Lenten season.
Do you do anything special to celebrate or mark the days before Easter? Tell us below.
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