Photo: Suzanne Sausville/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Residents in the North End marked the beginning of Holy Week by celebrating the Christian holiday Palm Sunday.
In the Christian faith, Palm Sunday marks the day Jesus arrived in Jerusalem ahead of his arrest and eventual crucifixion. When he arrived in the city, his followers and disciples laid out palms on the ground as he rode in.
Christians celebrate the holiday by giving out palms to churchgoers. One churchgoer at St. Leonard's in the Noth End told WBZ's Suzanne Sausville that to him, the palms represent hope and acceptance.
"Life goes into cycles," he said. "Sometimes things seem peaceful, they can be followed by a storm, but there is always hope."
The palms are consecrated by the church before they are given out, which means they are not supposed to be thrown out after. While some opt to bury the palm, others will hold onto the palm until Ash Wednesday the following year, when the palm is burned and used as the ashes to form the cross on the person's forehead.
Read More: JetBlue Cancels, Delays More Flights At Logan Citing Staffing Issues
The celebration of Palm Sunday marks the final week of Lent and one week until Easter.
WBZ'S Suzanne Sausville (@wbzSausville) reports.
Follow WBZ NewsRadio: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | iHeartmedia App