Holy Week in Jerusalem

Jerusalem, the proclaimed capital of Israel is recognized as the Holy City, as this city is the home to people from diverse cultural backgrounds including Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The unique blend of the different cultures and religions has paved the way for a harmonized culture of the city. Christians, Muslims and the Jews all live in a spirit of harmony and toleration in the Holy land of Jerusalem. A variety of festivals and events in Jerusalem increases the mutual love and bondage amongst the people belonging to various religious faiths. One such event is the Holy Week in Jerusalem and during this festival, thousands of pilgrims from all over the world visit at Jerusalem to complete their spiritual journey of a lifetime. They also participate in the most significant event in the religious calendar of the Western World - the Passion of Christ.

The last week of Lent and the previous week of Easter Sunday is considered as the Holy Week in Jerusalem. It is the entire week between Palm Sunday and Holy Saturday and during these seven days, various Christian churches commemorate and enact the suffering (Passion) and death of Jesus along with a range of ceremonies and services of worship. During this period of commemoration, a number of church traditions specially highlighted on those particular events that took place on the last week of Jesus' life. Some of the other church traditions focus on the larger themes related to Lord Jesus. During the time of Holy Week in Jerusalem, churches organize daily liturgical services, masses, liturgies and processions. However, most of the churches generally organize special observances only on Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday. The observances of Holy Week specifically concentrate on the suffering, humiliation, and death of Lord Jesus and the people who are participate in these Holy observances of Holy Week in Jerusalem are enlightened about the life of Jesus and his teachings.