What is Holy Week and Why is it Celebrated?

Crucifixion of Jesus
Crucifixion of Jesus (photo: Wikimedia Commons)
By M. GraceMarch 27th, 2018

Every year, Christians observe Holy Week, which consists of Palm Sunday, Maunday Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

This celebration and faith event was known to Jesus and his disciples as the Passover; the celebration of God's salvation of the Israelites from Egypt. The sacrificial blood of spotless lambs had protected the Israelites from the plague of death touched the land.

Now Jesus, the sinless and perfect lamb of God, is headed to the cross where he would lay down his life for all the people in this planet.

For the church, Holy Week is the most important week as this is the time when people celebrate, in a special way the life, death and resurrection of the only Son of God, Jesus.

The Holy Week is the last week of Lent season, which starts on Palm Sunday and ends on Easter Sunday.

"This Holy/passion week is important to us as Christians, people should hold prayers at their different churches or groups this week as we commemorate the Passion of Christ, who died on Good Friday in reparation for the sins of mankind, and rose on Easter Sunday to give new life to all who believe," Rev. Steven Gerenga of St. John's Church in Kamwokya, Uganda said.

He added that the Holy Week is sorrowful and solemn. It also anticipates the joy of Easter through the recognition of God's amazing grace and goodness of sending His only Son to die for our salvation.

"This being the holy week, you should take this opportunity to purify your souls. Even when faced with a challenge, always pray like Jesus did," Mukwaya noted.

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