Palm Sunday, the Flowers or the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, which this year falls on April 28, is a celebration that marks the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, where he was greeted by believers holding olive and palm branches. De Florii is also the name day of all those who have flower names.
What is celebrated on Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday is celebrated on the Sunday before Easter, in the Orthodox and Catholic Christian calendar. It marks the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, before His Passion and Resurrection.
Traditionally, on this day, believers bring willow or olive branches to the church to be sanctified. These branches are considered symbols of joy and new life, in keeping with the festive atmosphere of the holiday, which marks the beginning of Holy Week.
Palm Sunday is also a moment of reflection for Christians, reminding them of the essential truths of their faith and the significance of Jesus’ sacrifice for the salvation of mankind.
Palm Sunday marks an important moment in the Christian calendar. It is one of the 12 royal holidays during the church year. The first mention of Palm Sunday dates back to the 4th century, and the first celebration took place in Jerusalem. The celebration soon covered the entire Christian world, being celebrated with great pomp. This Sunday prepares the souls of the faithful for the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the following Sunday, after the Week of the Passion.
The flowers open the most important week for Easter preparations, known as “Holy Week” or Passion Week. From a liturgical point of view, from this day on, the evening officiating of the Denias begins in churches, services through which the faithful “spend” Christ on the way of the Cross, until his death and Resurrection.
Traditions and customs on Palm Sunday
The traditions specific to this holiday may vary by country or region, but typically involve attending special religious services and bringing home consecrated branches to place in homes or gardens as a sign of blessing and protection, as this ritual is said to protects believers from diseases and makes them stronger.
Fish is eaten on Florii, this being the second breaking of the 40-day fast of Easter, after the one on the day of the Annunciation. The dispensation for fish is given by the church because it is said that on this day Jesus would have asked to eat fish. Believers say that fish eaten on this day has healing powers and whoever eats it will be cured of any disease.
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On Florii we go to the graves of our relatives
Also on this day, people go to the graves of their relatives to hang willow branches on their crosses, so they will know that Easter is coming. In certain areas, there is a tradition that on Palm Sunday, the cord from the martisor is hung in a budding or blooming tree, in order to have health and abundance in the coming year.
In certain areas of the country, there is a custom for single girls to put basil under their pillow in order to become more beautiful and more desirable to boys, so that they can get married that year. On Florii, unmarried girls must take the dowry out of the house, to be aired.
Another custom is that the parents hit the children with the willow stick when they come from church, so that they grow up healthy and wise.
On Palm Sunday, those who are named after flowers are celebrated: Iris, Viorel, Viorela, Margareta, Camelia, Brânduşa or Lăcrămioara, but also those who are baptized Florin, Florina or with names derived from them.
