Holy Week, in the Christian church, the week between Palm Sunday and Easter, observed with special solemnity as a time of devotion to the Passion of Jesus Christ. Commemorating the final days of Jesus’ earthly life, Holy Week traces events from his triumphal entry into Jerusalem through his suffering, crucifixion, and burial, culminating in the anticipation of the Resurrection on Easter. Marked by distinctive liturgies, processions, observances, and acts of reflection that vary across Christian traditions, the week serves as the most sacred period of the liturgical year. The days of Holy Week are:
• Palm Sunday, commemorating Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem
• Holy Monday, commemorating Jesus’ cleansing of the temple
• Holy Tuesday, commemorating Jesus’ teaching in parables
• Holy Wednesday (also called Good Wednesday or Spy Wednesday), commemorating Judas’s betrayal
• Maundy Thursday (also called Holy Thursday), commemorating the institution of the Eucharist
• Good Friday, commemorating the Passion and death of Christ
• Holy Saturday, commemorating Christ’s burial and his triumphant descent into hell
Easter, principal festival of the Christian church, which celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after his Crucifixion. The Resurrection is a central doctrine of Christianity and forms the basis of salvation and the hope of eternal life. As its feast, Easter is a joyful affirmation of the belief that through Christ’s conquering of death all Christians will subsequently share in his victory over “sin, death, and the Devil.”