How to Observe Holy Week

Holy Week is a time in the Christian church when Christians celebrate the coming of Jesus to Jerusalem, his death, burial and resurrection. Holy week begins on Palm Sunday and ends on Easter. During this week Christians are encouraged to focus on their faith by attending different services throughout the week.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Attend Palm Sunday worship at your church. Palm Sunday is the celebration of Jesus's triumphant entry into Jerusalem.

2. Visit your church again for the Maundy Thursday service. This service is traditionally called the Tenebra or Service of Shadows to commemorate the night Jesus was betrayed.

3. Participate in the feet washing ceremony after the Maundy Thursday service if your place of worship offers one. Many evangelical denominations do not observe this part of Holy Week.

4. Come to the Good Friday service usually held from 1:00-3:00 p.m. on Good Friday. Most churches offer the "Stations of the Cross" during this time.

5. Conclude Holy Week by celebrating the resurrection on Easter Sunday. Many churches offer a sunrise service to begin the day, with a resurrection service later that morning.

Tips & Warnings

• Service offerings during Holy Week vary greatly from denomination to denomination. Some branches of Christianity have ceremonies every day of the week and others celebrate only Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Your tradition will dictate what kind of services you participate in, but feel free to add to what you do by visiting other churches during this week.
• Easter also marks for many Christians the end of Lent. This is a season of fasting during the 40 days prior to the resurrection. In some denominations the fast officially ends on Holy Thursday.