Why is the ‘Holy Week’ so sacred for Christians?

The Holy Week is last week of the 40 day lent, before Easter, starting with Palm Sunday and ending with the Easter service on Sunday early hours. Palm Sunday, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday are included respectively during the Holy Week.

How do Christians observe the Holy Week?

The Holy Week starts with the Palm Sunday, which is believed to mark the joyful entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. According to the Bible, Jesus rode on a donkey into the city, welcomed by the locals who threw off their cloaks onto the road as red carpet for the King while they waved palm branches chanting “ Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”. At all churches across the globe, there will be services where palm branches will be given to the worshippers.

During the Holy Week, Christians try to relive the last events of Jesus’ life, understanding the sufferings he went through for humankind.

Day 2 - Monday - Jesus returns with his disciples to Jerusalem. On the way to the temple he curses a fig tree for not bearing fruit. It is believed to be symbolic of the fact that believers demonstrate , that genuine faith is more than just outward religiosity; true, living faith must bear spiritual fruit in a person's life. When Jesus arrived at the Temple, he found the courts full of corrupt money changers. The day of cleansing of the temple.

Day 3 : Tuesday - Jesus and his disciples return to Jerusalem. They passed the withered fig tree on their way, and Jesus spoke to his companions about the importance of faith.Back at the Temple, many religious leaders were upset at Jesus for establishing himself as a spiritual authority. They organized an ambush with the intent to place him under arrest.

Later that day, Jesus left the city and went with his disciples to the Mount of Olives. Here Jesus gave the Olivet Discourse, an elaborate prophecy about the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the age. He speaks, as usual, in parables, using symbolic language about the end of time events, including His second home coming and the final judgment.

Day 4 - Wednesday - The Bible doesn't say what the Lord did on the Wednesday of Passion Week. Scholars speculate that after two exhausting days in Jerusalem, Jesus and his disciples spent this day resting in Bethany in anticipation of Passover.

Day 5 - Maundy Thursday, wherein worshippers attend a service to remember the Last Supper, Jesus had with his disciples including Judas who betrayed Jesus in exchange for 30 silver coins. It was during this meal that Jesus asked his disciples to share bread and drink wine in his memory which became the basis of Holy Communion for Christians. During the Last Supper it is believed that Jesus washed the feet of his disciples during Last Supper teaching them to be humble. Some Protestant churches practice the foot washing (Maundy) ceremony. For others, it may be the only time in the year when Holy Communion is celebrated.

Following Maundy Thursday, Good Friday services are carried, which commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus and his subsequent death. According to the Bible, the royal guards, pointed out by Judas Iscariot, the betrayer, arrested Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Judas received 30 pieces of silver for showing out Jesus with a kiss. Following his arrest, Jesus was taken to the house of Annas, the father-in-law of the high priest, Caiaphas. There he was interrogated with little result and sent bound to Caiaphas the high priest where the Sanhedrin had assembled to question Jesus.

The communion altar is left empty after Good Friday for Holy Saturday. The lamp or candle usually situated next to the tabernacle denoting the Presence of Christ is put out.

Christians believe that on the third day after Jesus’ crucified body buried in a tomb, he rose from the dead and was seen by, and talked with, some of his friends and disciples. This event is called the resurrection or Easter which is the most significant event for Christians.

In most churches, Easter service begins during midnight. Sometimes a baby is baptised, symbolising new life. Then the first Easter Communion is celebrated. The Resurrection of Christ on Easter Day is the main reason why Christians keep every Sunday as the primary day of religious observance. It is the time when the 40 days lent is broken and worshippers devour on a feast of non-veg delicacies.

It is believed that over the next 40 days after resurrection, Jesus appeared to different groups of people before ascending back into Heaven.