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The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates the Palm Sunday, the triumphant entry of our Lord Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, tomorrow, March 25.

Several years ago, by the order of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, Palm Sunday was declared as the Blessing of Children Day, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin informed Panorama.am.

On the occasion of the feast, a special service of Blessing of Children will be offered at all Armenian Churches, the source said.

Under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, the following services will be offered at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin:

- At 10:00 a.m., the Blessing Service of the Four Corners of the World (Andastan) and the Blessing of Children will be offered in the courtyard of the Mother Cathedral.

- At the end of Divine Liturgy, a special service of Blessing of Children will be offered at 1:00 p.m. 

The Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of Palm Sunday one week before the Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Easter), the Araratian Patriarchal Diocese reports.

Jesus comes into Jerusalem riding atop a donkey and the people gather to meet Him with reverence, thus fulfilling the words of the prophet from the Old Testament.

The Gospel of St. Matthew, in relating the story, refers to the prophecy, “All this was done, that it might be fulfilled, that which was spoken by the prophet, saying “Tell the daughter of Zion, Behold, your king is coming to you! He is humble and sitting on an ass, and a colt, the foal of an ass.” (Mt 21:4-5).

On His arrival, a large crowd of people gathers to greet Him, and spread their cloaks on the road before Him, while others cut branches from palm trees and place them on the path. The crowd exclaims: “Hosanna!  Blessed is the King of Israel that comes in the Name of the Lord” (Jn 12:13).

On Palm Sunday, churches are decorated with branches from willow trees and palm trees.  Following a solemn morning service, the blessed branches are distributed to the faithful. This passage from the Gospels reminds each of us about the Coming of Christ, and teaches us to live in a manner that can make us worthy to stand before the Lord and exclaim: "Hosanna (Praise God)! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!"