The word ‘holy’ means dedicated to God or set apart. Holy week comes at the end of Lent and leads up to Easter Sunday. It is a chance to meditate on the suffering of Jesus during the final week of His life and its impact on humanity.

Some Christians focus on the sentences Jesus said on the cross, traditionally called His ‘Seven Last Words,’ which provide a good summary of Easter’s meaning.

The most significant days of the week include Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Saturday.

Palm Sunday commemorates the time when Jesus rode into Jersualem on a donkey, met by a cheering crowd. In many churches, large palm branches are carried in; others give out crosses made out of palm leaf, linking Jesus’ triumphant entry with his crucifixion. The church recognises both Jesus’ kingship and His incredible humility in his choice of the ‘foal of a donkey’ (Zechariah 9:9).

Maundy Thursday is the day of the Last Supper, when Jesus established the Eucharist (or Holy Communion). The word ‘Maundy’ derives from the latin ‘mandatum’ which means to entrust or order. During the meal, Jesus gave the disciples a ‘new commandment,’ to ‘love one another’ (John 13:34-35). He said this after washing their feet, which some churches re-enact. Many Roman Catholic services have the priest washing the feet of 12 people, symbolising the disciples. In Britain up until the 17^th Century, the King or Queen would wash the feet of several poor people to mirror Jesus’ humility and love.

Good Friday is the day when Christians specifically remember Christ’s death on the cross. Readings from Isaiah 53, the passion narratives or the epistle to the Hebrews help to illustrate what Jesus did, provoking both repentance and gratitude. Christians meditate on the consequences of Jesus as the ‘atoning sacrifice for … the sins of the whole world’ (1 John 2:2). Some Christians, particularly Roman Catholics, choose to fast for at least one meal on Good Friday.

Holy Saturday is, during the day, a time to dwell on Jesus’ death and descent into hell, and anticipate his resurrection. It is also a day to remember those we love who have died, in light of the resurrection. 

After sundown some churches begin the Easter Vigil. Beginning in darkness, a candle is then lit to symbolize the resurrection of Jesus and His triumph over sin and death. If done at sunrise on Easter Sunday instead, the light of dawn serves the same purpose. Now the big celebrations begin: Often a paschal candle will be lit representing Jesus as light and life, flowers are brought, the Eucharist is shared and celebratory songs and hymns are sung.