On April 28, Russian Orthodox Christians celebrate Palm Sunday.
On April 28, Russian Orthodox Christians celebrate Palm Sunday.
Palm Sunday, when, according to the Gospels, Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem on a donkey, is marked one week before Easter.
Believers flock to churches on that day to have their branches of willows blessed by priests.
Willows are used instead of palms to celebrate the feast in Russia.
Therefore, the holiday is widely known in Russia as Willow Sunday.
Willow branches are consecrated during the divine service on Saturday night.
The head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, held a divine liturgy in downtown Moscow’s Christ the Savior Cathedral on Palm Sunday.
The head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, held a divine liturgy in downtown Moscow’s Christ the Savior Cathedral on Palm Sunday.
Woman selling willow branches near the Alexander Nevsky Catherdal in Novosibirsk.
Russia will mark Easter this year on May 5 in line with the Julian calendar.
