St. Luke Byzantine Catholic Church

Palm and Flowery Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week. It celebrates the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem after raising Lazarus from the dead. This year, this feast is celebrated on April 13.  

Liturgy:

 Sunday, April 13 - Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am

Let us gather this day, the new Israel, the Church of the Gentiles, and with the prophet Zechariah, let us say: Rejoice, O daughter of Zion, shout for joy, O daughter of Jerusalem; behold your king comes to you (Zech 9:9). He who has heaven as his throne and earth as his footstool, the Son and coeternal Word the Father, humbles himself to mount a senseless beast, as He comes to Bethany. Carrying branches, the Hebrew children welcome Him saying: Hosanna in the highest; blessed is He who is coming, the King of Israel!

You rode on the foal of a donkey to symbolize for the Gentiles the triumph of the Savior. Therefore, Israel, your beloved, offers You praise, O Christ, through the mouths of infants and babes, the witnesses of your entrance into the Holy City, six days before the Passover. 

Troparion: (Tone 1)

Christ our God, before your compassion you confirmed our common resurrection when you raised Lazarus from the dead. Therefore, like the children, we carry the symbols of victory and cry out to you, the Victor over death: Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.