Orthodox Christians and Catholics will celebrate on different days
Palm Sunday, or the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, is one of the twelve major feasts and is among the most revered in the Christian calendar. It marks the beginning of the last week before Easter – Passion Week.
More details about the celebration dates and folk customs are provided by RBC-Ukraine.
Also read: Church on a smartphone? The OCU explained whether online streaming can replace going to church
Main points:
- Orthodox believers in Ukraine will celebrate Palm Sunday on April 5, 2026.
- Catholic Palm Sunday falls a week earlier – March 29.
- The holiday is celebrated exactly seven days before Easter and opens Passion Week.
- In 2026, the dates for celebrating Palm Sunday coincide for all Orthodox Christians, both following the new Julian and the Julian calendars.
- During the festive liturgy, believers bless willow branches as a symbol of life triumphing over death.
When we celebrate in 2026
The date of Palm Sunday directly depends on the day of Easter celebration. Since Orthodox Easter in 2026 falls on April 12, Palm Sunday will be celebrated on April 5. Importantly, this date is common for those adhering to both the new Julian and Julian calendars.
Western rite Christians (Catholics) will celebrate Easter a week earlier – on April 5. Accordingly, Catholic Palm Sunday will occur on March 29.
Palm Sunday in the Orthodox church calendar (screenshot: pomisna.info)
Church features and liturgy
According to church regulations, on Sunday, April 5, a liturgy according to the rite of St. John Chrysostom will be held. During the all-night vigil, after the reading of the Gospel, a special rite takes place – the blessing of willow branches with holy water.
Interestingly, despite the continuation of Great Lent, on this festive day the church calendar allows believers some leniency in dietary restrictions – fish is permitted.
History and traditions of the holiday
The holiday is dedicated to Jesus Christ’s entry into Jerusalem on a donkey, symbolizing His humility and non-violent authority. At that time, the city’s inhabitants welcomed Him as King, laying palm branches along His path.
In Slavic countries, where palm trees do not grow, they are replaced by willow branches – the first plant to bloom in spring. In Ukraine, the holiday has several folk names: Palm Sunday, Colorful Sunday.
After the blessing of the willow in church, hosts traditionally try to bring it home as quickly as possible and place it in the corner under the icons. There is also an ancient custom of “hitting” each other with the blessed branches, saying: “It’s not me hitting – the willow hits, in a week it’s Easter, not far off is the red egg!”
It is believed that this rite brings health and well-being for the entire year, and young people wish each other to be “big as a willow, and healthy as water.”
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported on the main church dates in March 2026 according to the new Julian calendar of the OCU. We discussed when the memorial Saturdays fall, which events of Great Lent are the most significant, and when the Annunciation will be celebrated.
The following sources were used in writing this material: the church calendar for 2026, the OCU website, wikipedia.org.
