Palm Sabbath
Once upon a Sabbath, the heavenly King, the Lord Who appeared by the flesh of humans through the Birth from one Virgin Mary, came to Jerusalem riding donkey colt. By then, Israelis acclaimed Him by waving palm branches and laying cloaks on the ground in His honor.
The Bible narrates it as follows; “The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out:
“Hosanna!‘ Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ The King of Israel!” Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written: “Fear not, daughter of Zion; Behold, your King is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt.” His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified. Then they remembered that these things were written about Him and that they had done these things to Him.
Therefore the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of his tomb and raised him from the dead, bore witness. For this reason the people also met Him, because they heard that He had done this sign. The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, “You see that you are accomplishing nothing. Look, the world has gone after Him!” (John 12:12-19)
The Holy Orthodox Church commemorates this day by an especial liturgy on a Sabbath, by this hymn “Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Hosanna in the highest!” and also performing the same acclamation to the Lord by palm branches and laying of cloaks on the floor of the Church. (Matthew 21:9)
May the Lord’s mercy and blessing be upon us, Amen!