Introduction to Holy Week, Year A

Holy Week is the seven-day period leading up to Easter Sunday that reflects on Jesus’ last week on earth, along with his death and resurrection. It is widely recognized as the most sacred week in the liturgical year in Christianity.

Whether Holy Week falls within the period of Lent is a matter of opinion. Most churches break their Lent fast on Easter Sunday which would include Holy Week. Some other Churches see Holy Week as a separate season to Lent and thus break their Lent fast on Palm Sunday.

Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday where the Church reflects on Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. This day is usually honoured by the waving of Palm Branches and singing Hosanna, which was also done by the crowds as Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. It is also tradition in many churches to hand out small crosses made out of palm leaves.

Many churches will host daily services throughout the week of Holy Week, journeying with Jesus to the cross. Some churches will put on productions of Christ’s life, arrest and crucifixion during this week and it is common for Christian broadcasting services to show movies of Jesus’ Passion.

Another tradition during Holy Week is to host a 7-words service which consists of a series of sermons, interspersed with singing, based on each of the seven last words of Jesus on the cross. This is usually a three hour service. Many churches, particularly in South Africa, prefer to host this service in the week’s leading up to Holy Week as a “Pre-Easter service.”

The Thursday of Holy Week is known as Maundy Thursday. It is the day where the Church reflects on the commemoration of the Last Supper. Some Churches will instead host a Tenebrae service (service of darkness) on this evening. In this service, select scripture readings are read as candles are distinguished throughout the service. The tenebrae service ends in darkness as people are left to silently retreat and reflect until the Good Friday service the following day.

The Friday of Holy Week is Good Friday. It is usually a solemn occasion that commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus and his subsequent death. The narrative of Jesus’ arrest, crucifixion and death is also known as “The Passion of Jesus.” Many denominations use Good Friday to perform the “stations of the cross” which are a series of fourteen images that depict Jesus’ journey to his crucifixion and are accompanied by guided prayers. The objective of the stations is to help Christians to make a spiritual pilgrimage through contemplation of the Passion of Christ.

Some churches will host a memorial service of some kind on Holy Saturday. This is because while we mourn Jesus’ death with his followers, we are given an opportunity to mourn those who have parted from us today. However, many churches choose to rather leave this day open as a reminder of the period of mournful waiting for the resurrection on Sunday.

Easter Sunday is the climax of Holy Week, where the Church of Christ meets to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus the Christ. Many churches will meet at sunrise to symbolically celebrate with Mary who arrived at the empty tomb early on the morning of Easter Sunday. Most churches will host one or two services on Easter Sunday which, along with Christmas Day services, are usually the most well attended services of the entire year.

Throughout much of the world, Easter Sunday is also an opportunity to have Easter Egg hunts and eat lots of chocolate.

Generally speaking, Easter Sunday marks the end of Lent and the beginning of Eastertide - that’s right, Easter is a whole season, not just a day! But more on that soon…