For Christians, Palm Sunday is the advent of Holy Week, a revered time for all who believe that Jesus Christ was the Jewish Messiah.

“Palm Sunday is the day that celebrates Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem,” said Dave Coplin, worship minister at Bethany Christian Church in Anderson. He refers to the New Testament’s Matthew 21:1-11.

When Jesus came into Jerusalem, he was heralded as a king by his disciples and much of the masses. They showed their reverence for him, and belief in him, by symbolically placing cloaks and palms on the ground before him.

The passages say that Jesus was riding a beast of burden, or donkey. Coplin said that for Jesus’ believers, this fulfilled the Old Testament prophecy that the king, the Jewish Messiah, would come to them gentle and riding a donkey.

Many churches celebrate Palm Sunday with palms and processionals in remembrance of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem.

Depending on the traditions of a church, another Holy Week celebration can include Foot-Washing ceremonies on Maundy Thursday, a celebration in remembrance of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples and The Last Supper, Coplin said.

Friday is Good Friday, the day recognized by Christians as when Jesus was crucified and Holy Week ends with Easter Sunday, the day Jesus was said to have risen from the dead.

The Bethany Christian Church will celebrate Palm Sunday with a scripture service.

St. Mary’s Church plans to have a processional, including the distribution of palm leaves, that will start at 10 a.m. in the parking lot of Saint John’s Medical Center and end at the church for 11 a.m. Mass.