Category: Easter/Lent

Holy Week – The Timeline

Easter/Lent
Holy Week,Semana Santa, Easter

Holy Week, Semana Santa, Easter

For most of the western world, Holy Week has become a contest or a treat of how much  chocolate eggs you can eat, completely bypassing the fact that this celebration is the most important religious event in the Christian life.

It is during Easter/Semana Santa/Holy Week that our Lord, Jesus Christ was nailed on the cross, to bear all our sins and wrong-doings in his death.  His resurrection gives us a newness of life, to kickstart us into the path of righteousness in accordance with the commandments of God, The Father.

The Easter egg is a symbol of a new life, like a chick being hatched out of an egg.

Holy Week – The Timeline

Palm Sunday

Jesus, the Messiah, rode in to Jerusalem on a donkey.  He was welcomed with much rejoicing by palm leaves bearing people.

Holy Monday

Jesus cleansed the synagogue of money lenders, etc.

Jesus was anointed at Bethany.

Holy Tuesday

Jesus teaches at the temple.

Holy Wednesday

Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.

Maundy Thursday

Washing of the feet by the master to his servants.  It means everyone is equal. It is also commemorates the Last Supper.

Good Friday

Jesus Dies on the Cross.

Black Saturday

Easter Sunday

The Ressurection.

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Did you know?

The Roman Catholic Church use Computus by way of calculating the date of Easter since the Middle Ages.

Easter is determined by the full moon, which chases the Spring Equinox.

The earliest possible date for Easter is 22 March, however it cannot be later than 25 April. Now for the 21st Century,  The Computus app (Application) can be downloaded to iPhone/iPad/smartphone etc.

Good Friday 2013

Easter/Lent

Flower on the cross @ Fort Santiago
by PH Morton

Today is Good Friday, a very solemn day for Christians around the world.

Good Friday 2013

Good Friday is a commemoration of Jesus’ crucifixion at Mount Calvary.

Jesus died on the cross for our own salvation and who those who believe in Him will have an everlasting life.

A Blessed and Solemn Good Friday to all

From GlobalGranary.org

 

Palm Sunday

Blogs Easter/Lent Philippines Superstitions
Jesus on a donkey @ V&A Photo by PH Morton

Jesus on a donkey @ V&A, Photo by PH Morton

 

Palm Sunday is a movable feast and so is Easter for that matter.

A movable feast is based on a complex formula that has something to do with the marriage between the Justinian and the Gregorian calendars, coupled with Western and Eastern traditions.  In addition, phases of the moon are also incorporated.

Anyway Palm Sunday is seven days before Easter. It is the time to commemorate Jesus’s entrance to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover.  He rode an ass or donkey as opposed to a horse; a horse is perceived more as a warlike or used by the rich & nobles etc.. Whilst the donkey is symbolic of humility and peace.  Jesus wanted to show that he was for the poor as well as for the rich.   Jesus was for Everyman.

It was said that the people laid down their cloaks and little palm leaves to the path where Jesus would pass.

Today the Churches will give their parishioners branches or palm leaves, some are woven into crosses, to raise and wave during exultation and prayers.

The little palm crosses are encouraged to be taken home and put away to be taken back for next year’s Ash Wednesday.

Some superstitions have been attached to the crosses. In the Philippines which I have carried back here in the UK, the crosses are hung up over windows or doorways. This is to prevent the house from being struck by lightning.

Palm Crosses that are handed out by the Priest at churches are normally made by religious orders.

Make your own paper cross. Click here.