Sunday, March 21, 2027
The most sacred week of the Christian year, from Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday, commemorating Christ's final week.
Holy Week is the most sacred week of the Christian year, the seven days from Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday that commemorate the final week of Jesus' earthly life. Each day carries its own observance: Palm Sunday recalls his triumphal entry; Holy Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday (sometimes called 'Holy Wednesday' or 'Spy Wednesday' for Judas's betrayal) include the cleansing of the temple, the cursing of the fig tree, and Jesus' major confrontations with religious leaders; Maundy Thursday is the Last Supper and the institution of the Eucharist; Good Friday is the crucifixion; Holy Saturday is the silence of the tomb; and Easter Sunday is the resurrection. The week begins with shouts of 'Hosanna' and ends with shouts of 'Christ is risen.' Between those two acclamations lies the entire drama of human history's pivotal week. Holy Week's liturgies are the most elaborate of the year and have remained largely unchanged for over a thousand years — connecting today's worshipers to the unbroken witness of the church across time.
Holy Week observance varies by tradition but always includes the major liturgies: Palm Sunday with palm distribution and the Passion narrative; Maundy Thursday's evening Mass with foot-washing and altar stripping; Good Friday's three-hour service or Veneration of the Cross; Holy Saturday's silence followed by the Easter Vigil. Many Christians intensify their Lenten disciplines this week, attend midweek services, and avoid social entertainment to reflect on Christ's passion.
The traditional Bible readings for Holy Week include:
Holy Week consists of seven days: Palm Sunday (triumphal entry), Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday, Holy Wednesday (sometimes called Spy Wednesday), Maundy Thursday (the Last Supper), Good Friday (the crucifixion), and Holy Saturday (Christ in the tomb). It ends with Easter Sunday, which begins the new liturgical season but is the climax of Holy Week's narrative.
The Paschal Triduum is the three-day liturgical unit from Maundy Thursday evening through Easter Sunday. The church considers it a single continuous liturgy: Maundy Thursday begins without a final blessing, Good Friday has no opening or closing rites, and Easter Sunday completes the cycle. The Triduum is the highest point of the Christian liturgical year.
Spy Wednesday is a traditional name for Holy Wednesday, the day before Maundy Thursday. The name refers to Judas Iscariot's arrangement with the chief priests to betray Jesus (Matthew 26:14-16). The Gospel readings for this day in many traditions focus on Judas's decision to betray Christ — making it a day of reflection on betrayal, loyalty, and the cost of discipleship.
Christians observe Holy Week by attending the major liturgies (Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil), intensifying prayer and fasting, reading the Passion narratives daily, walking the Stations of the Cross, and reducing entertainment to focus on Christ's passion. Many take time off work for the Triduum (Thursday through Sunday) — the holiest three days of the year.