The Orthodox Christians on April 5 celebrate Palm Sunday, when Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem, being met with fig tree, date palm and olive branches by his disciples and by residents of the city. This feast is celebrated on the Sunday before Easter, priest Valentin Zicu, of the Church “Saint Pious Parascheva” of Samananca village of Orhei district, has told IPN.

Palm Sunday is also called the Sunday of Green Twigs, from the green willow tree branches brought for being blessed. On this day, they bless budded willow tree branches by prayer and holy water and then share these out to Christians.

Those who fasted take communion. On Palm Sunday it is allowed eating fish.

This year, Palm Sunday coincides with Catholics’ Easter.