Orthodox Church celebrates today the Christian holiday of Palm Sunday, called Palm Sunday. The holiday is celebrated on the Sunday after St. Lazarus, one week before Easter and is one of the most beautiful spring holidays. It is dedicated to the solemn meeting of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem with olive and laurel branches.
Gospel texts Christ entered Jerusalem on a donkey, where he greeted the faithful with olive branches and glory as Messianic King. The day Christ back to life the dead Lazarus and was greeted by the residents of Jerusalem as resurrector. Jesus Christ willingly go step by step to ordained end of his earthly life.
The service in the temples Christians hold in their hands lighted willow branches, replacing palm branches - vayi though again meet his Savior. Varbichkite illumination is performed on the vigil on Saturday night. After worship Christians refer lit willow twigs in their homes to health and prevent disease and evil. It is believed that lit willow has a protective effect and playing, so it remains a year before the home icon.