Holy Week

Holy Week represents an important time on the Christian calendar. It marks the week leading up to Easter Sunday. Holy Week traditions in the United States remain similar to those practiced in other parts of the world. A series of days parallel events in the life of Christ, and Gospel stories influence particular rituals for each one. Although practices vary according to individual churches anddenominations, many congregations in the U.S. observe these traditions.
Palm Sunday Observation of Palm Sunday remains a popular tradition in many Christian denominations, including Protestant and Catholic churches. It commemorates an episode in the life of Jesus leading up to his crucifixion. According to Gospel accounts, Jesus received a king's welcome as he rode into Jerusalem on this day, withcrowds waving palm branches upon his arrival. For this reason, many churches hand out palm branches to worshipers on this Sunday. In Catholic tradition, Palm Sunday also goes by the name of "Passion Sunday," because of its important place in the story of the crucifixion.
Maundy Thursday Called "Maundy Thursday" or "Holy Thursday," this fifth day of Holy Week offers the tradition of feasting. Theword "maundy" comes from a Latin word, meaning "order" or "commandment," and relates to Jesus' new commandment that his followers should "love one another." In the life of Jesus, this day marked his last supper with his disciples. Traditions to observe this day include the taking of the Eucharist, church-organized dinners and even the performance of Passover Seders from Jewish traditions.
GoodFriday Good Friday remains an important tradition for both Catholic and Protestant churches. In the life of Christ, Good Friday marks the day of his arrest, crucifixion and burial. Most Catholic churches do not offer communion on this day, and many cover images and sculptures of Christ with black cloth. Many churches hold a special service on Good Friday that meditates on the death of Jesus. Someperform interactive services using banners and images of Christ's sufferings, called "the Stations of the Cross."
Holy Saturday Holy Saturday represents the last day of the season of Lent before the celebration of Easter. In the life of Christ, this day includes his time spent dead in the tomb. Traditionally, churches either do not hold services on this day or do not offer communion during regularservices, as a way to mark this time of contemplation and loss. Some individuals take part in fasting on Holy Saturday as an observation of the end of the Lenten season. Lost loved ones and saints share focus on this day because of its association with death. Many congregations hold a special service, called an "Easter Vigil" after sundown.
Semana Santa representa un momento importante en elcalendario cristiano. Marca la semana anterior al Domingo de Pascua. Las tradiciones de Semana Santa en los Estados Unidos siguen siendo similares a las que se practican en otras partes del mundo. Una serie de eventos paralelos día en la vida de Cristo, y las historias del Evangelio influye rituales particulares para cada uno. Aunque las prácticas varían de acuerdo a las iglesias y denominacionesindividuales, muchas congregaciones en los EE.UU. observan estas tradiciones.
Domingo de Ramos Observación del Domingo de Ramos sigue siendo una tradición popular en muchas denominaciones cristianas, incluyendo iglesias protestantes y católicas. Se conmemora un episodio de la vida de Jesús que lleva hasta su crucifixión. Según relatos de los Evangelios, Jesús fue recibido como un rey como él entró enJerusalén en el día de hoy, con la multitud agitando ramas de palma a su llegada. Por esta razón, muchas iglesias reparten ramas de palma para los adoradores de este domingo. En la tradición católica, el Domingo de Ramos también se conoce con el nombre de "Domingo de Ramos", debido a su importante lugar en la historia de la crucifixión.
Jueves Santo Llamado "Jueves Santo" o "Jueves Santo", a los...