Orthodox Church celebrates Palm Sunday

The Eastern Orthodox Church celebrates on April 20 the Palm Sunday, the feast that opens the Eastertide, which will end with Ascension 40 days after Easter Sunday. According to father Ioan Ciuntu, senior priest of the St. Teodora Church in Chisinau, the Palm Sunday is a holiday to evoke the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey and welcomed with flowers by a cheering sea of people. This is the only day on which Lord Jesus Christ accepted in His earthly life to be praised as a king, thus fulfilling an Old Testament prophecy. On Palm Sunday, people come to churches to have willow fronds, or any other plants resembling palm branches, blessed by priests. They would later put the blessed branches behind windows, above doors and gates and indoors besides icons, while the clergy hold them in their hands with lit candles to herald the triumph of life over death. The willow fronds remind of the palm and olive branches with which Jesus was welcomed into Jerusalem several days before His Passion. Traditions say this ritual protects people from diseases and makes them vigorous. Willow branches are also thought to defend one’s home from evil and unpleasant events. If cattle are fed with some willow branches, they will breed better and be healthy all the year round. Also, if fruit trees and grapevines are adorned with such blessed branches, they will yield more fruit and grapes. Those who observe Lent may start eating fish on Palm Sunday. Romanian traditions say the Mother of God herself blessed the willow after it leaned over a river to help Mary cross it. On Palm Sunday those who are named after flowers, like Liliana or Viorica, celebrate their name day.