Church attendance on Palm Sunday exceeded expectations in Melbourne and reportedly across Australia with young and old forming lines outside some churches.
Thousands of faithful gathered for the morning service commemorating Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, re-enacted with the woven palm crosses in a celebratory atmosphere before the week of spiritual contemplation begins.
It follows days of preparations with the cleaning of the churches and the traditional
adornment in palm fronds, carefully curated by a volunteer community of elders who pass down the knowledge and how-to of the custom to younger parishioners.
Palm Sunday marks the commencement of Megali Evdomada (Holy Week), the most important week in the Greek Orthodox calendar.
Traditionally, the strict Lenten fast is relaxed on the day, owing to the celebratory nature of the event of Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem.
After church services many families gathered for the typical seafood lunch of the day, with the consumption of oil and wine also permitted.
In contrast to the joyous spirit of Palm Sunday, the next three days of the Holy Week will shift into an atmosphere of mourning as they mark the days leading to Christ’s crucifixion.
