Entry into Jerusalem

Sunday before Easter

The Entry into Jerusalem, also called Palm Sunday, is a movable feast in that the date changes according to that upon which Easter falls for that year. It marks the start of Holy Week, including the Triduum of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Great Vigil of Holy Saturday.

Entering into Jerusalem on a donkey, Jesus is acclaimed by the crowds in a mood of celebratory joy, which will soon turn to betrayal, scourging and Crucifixion by the weeks end. Jesus, knowing he must enter the Holy City in order to fulfill his mission, moves on the meek colt toward the welcoming citizens but looks back with a palpable sadness to his Disciples who gesture for him to stay with them.

The whole icon forms a visual manifestation of exultation, with the upward sweep of the rocks and trees to the bright colors of the elder’s robes and garments laid beneath the colt’s hoofs. Everything seems to proclaim the words of the prophet Zechariah: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Sion…behold, thy King is coming to thee…riding on an ass.”