On this day, when the Orthodox Church celebrates the feast of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, also known as Palm Sunday and Willow Sunday, the Bulgarian Patriarch and Metropolitan of Sofia Daniel will lead the solemn Divine Liturgy in the Patriarchal Cathedral "St. Alexander Nevsky". This was announced by the Bulgarian Patriarchate.
The reception of Patriarch Daniel in front of the cathedral is at 9:00 a.m., and the beginning of the Divine Liturgy is at 9:30 a.m.
Solemn services for Palm Sunday will also be served today in the churches and monasteries of the country.
History of the feast
The entry of Christ into Jerusalem is described by the four evangelists – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, in their gospels. Jesus Christ enters Jerusalem a few days before His sufferings and crucifixion. A few days before the Jewish Passover, the Savior set out for Jerusalem from Bethany, where he had previously resurrected his friend Lazarus. He asked the apostles to bring a donkey from a nearby village. When they brought it, Christ sat on it and, accompanied by them and other of His disciples, approached the holy city. Learning that Christ was coming, many inhabitants of the city went out to meet Him. They had already learned about the resurrection of Lazarus and were excited by the miracle of Christ. Some spread their clothes for Him to pass over them, and others carried palm branches in their hands and greeted Him with them, shouting: "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!". The entry of Christ into Jerusalem was foretold in the Old Testament by the prophet Zachariah.
The Icon of the Feast
The celebration of the feast is an expression of the great joy of all creation. The icon of the feast shows how the inhabitants of Jerusalem welcome the Messiah at the gates of the city. The apostles walk alongside their Teacher, Who is glorified as King on this day. The whole icon is written in bright colors, and Christ's garment is painted with red hues, which are to remind of voluntary suffering. The Evangelist Matthew mentions the presence of children in front of the temple, shouting "Hosanna!". On the icon they are shown joyfully tearing branches from the tree in front of the gates of the city and spreading their clothes on His path.
Willow Branches
In memory of the Jerusalem children, Orthodox Christians hold willow branches in their hands during the service, which in our geographical latitudes replace the palm ones. In this way, they spiritually participate in the solemn entry of Christ into Jerusalem.
At the morning service, just before the Divine Liturgy, the priest censes with incense the pre-collected willow branches and blesses them with a prayer specially appointed for the occasion. Then he distributes the branches for blessing.
The willow branch, which we have received from the hand of the priest, is a testimony that we welcome the Lord Jesus as Lord and Savior and believe in Him with all our hearts. After the service, the branch is taken home, where it is placed above the icon or the cross.
With the feast of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem begins the spiritual preparation for Holy Week and for the tracking of the last days of the earthly life of Jesus Christ. During the first three days of the week, strict fasting is also observed, the Bulgarian Patriarchate explains.