Holy Week
In Jerusalem, Palestinian Christians observe scaled-down Good Friday rituals
By Julia Frankel — March 29, 2024
JERUSALEM (AP) — The city's streets were noticeably devoid of Palestinian Christians from the West Bank, who normally flock to the Holy City for the Easter festivities. Since Oct. 7, Palestinian worshippers have needed special permission to cross checkpoints into Jerusalem.
An annual pilgrimage during Holy Week brings thousands of believers to Santuario de Chimayó in New Mexico, where they pray for healing and protection
By Brett Hendrickson — March 28, 2024
(The Conversation) — Hundreds of thousands of visitors come to the Santuario de Chimayó throughout the year, but the pilgrimage during the week before the celebration of Easter is the high point.
Pope Francis skips Palm Sunday homily at start of busy Holy Week that will test his health
By Nicole Winfield — March 26, 2024
ROME (AP) — The Holy Week schedule is challenging for popes even under the best of circumstances.
Thousands of Christians attend Palm Sunday celebrations in Jerusalem against a backdrop of war
By Associated Press — March 25, 2024
JERUSALEM (AP) —The annual celebration came as the Israel-Hamas war rages on in Gaza. However, the conflict appeared to have had little effect on the procession, which swelled to a similar size as last year.
Tattooing has held a long tradition in Christianity − dating back to Jesus’ crucifixion
By Gustavo Morello — March 7, 2024
(The Conversation) — Historically, many Christians got tattoos around Holy Week − usually a cross − to honor Christ’s martyrdom.
Pope Francis skips Good Friday at Colosseum in chilly Rome
By Associated Press — April 8, 2023
ROME (AP) — It was the first time a pontiff was a no-show at the Colosseum Way of the Cross procession since 2005, when Pope John Paul II's health was in decline.
Holy Week starts off with lots of palms – but Palm Sunday’s donkey is just as important to the story
By Joanne M. Pierce — April 5, 2023
(The Conversation) — Donkeys and palm leaves are both associated with Christianity’s Palm Sunday – but their symbolism couldn’t be more different.
Christ continues to be crucified in today’s world
By Thomas Reese — April 4, 2023
(RNS) — Holy Week is a time to remember that what Jesus suffered is still going on in our world today.
Rebounding Pope Francis marks Palm Sunday in Vatican square
By Frances D'Emilio — April 2, 2023
"I thank you for your participation and prayers, that in the last days you intensified,'' the pontiff told the crowd in St. Peter's Square, a reference to the many wishes he received for a quick recovery during his hospitalization.
From Senate subcommittee to Easter sermon: Raphael Warnock on life as a pastor-politician
By Adelle M. Banks — March 31, 2023
WASHINGTON (RNS) — ‘My life is a sermon, that I get to preach on Sunday and embody and make come alive in my work in the Senate,’ said the Georgia senator.
With high hopes for holidays, three faiths take stock of COVID-19 losses and gains
By Adelle M. Banks, Emily McFarlan Miller, Alejandra Molina, Kathryn Post, and Yonat Shimron — April 15, 2022
(RNS) — Even with the convergence of Easter, Passover and Ramadan this year, many Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders are uncertain whether they can count on a post-COVID-19 resurgence or what it will look like.
Episcopal Church mulls changes to Holy Week readings seen as antisemitic
By Emily McFarlan Miller — April 14, 2022
(RNS) — As Holy Week arcs toward Easter and world leaders have decried a resurgence of antisemitism, the Episcopal Church is mulling changes to its lectionary readings.
On Holy Thursday, Pope Francis warns priests against the idolatry that leads to devil worship
By Claire Giangravé — April 14, 2022
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — It’s not uncommon for the pope to candidly address clergy during Holy Thursday’s Chrism Mass, when priests renew their vows of ordination.
Ukraine upset by Vatican inviting Russian to carry Good Friday cross
By Frances D'emilio — April 13, 2022
(RNS) — “You have to understand one thing” about the pope, said the Rev. Antonio Spadaro, a Jesuit priest in Rome who is close to Francis, on Wednesday. “He's a pastor, not a politician.”
Holy Thursday is a Christian Passover, when we remember who we are
By Thomas Reese — April 11, 2022
(RNS) — Christians cannot understand the Eucharist unless they understand the Jewish Passover.
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