Holy Week definition of Holy Week in the Free Online Encyclopedia.

Holy Week, week before Easter Easter [A.S. Eastre, name of a spring goddess], chief Christian feast, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus after his crucifixion. In the West, Easter is celebrated on the Sunday following the full moon next after the vernal equinox (see calendar ); thus,
..... Click the link for more information. . Its chief days are named Palm Sunday Palm Sunday, in the Christian calendar, the Sunday before Easter , sixth and last Sunday in Lent , and the first day of Holy Week . It recalls the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem riding upon an ass, when his followers shouted "Hosanna" and scattered palms in his path.
..... Click the link for more information. , Maundy Thursday Maundy Thursday (môn`dē) [Lat.
..... Click the link for more information. , Good Friday Good Friday, anniversary of Jesus' death on the cross. According to the Gospels, Jesus was put to death on the Friday before Easter Day. Since the early church Good Friday has been observed by fasting and penance.
..... Click the link for more information. , and Holy Saturday. In Christian life it is a week of devout observance, commemorating the Passion and Jesus' death on the cross. The liturgies have special features and services, e.g., Tenebrae Tenebrae (tĕn`ĕbrā) [Lat.
..... Click the link for more information. . In the Roman Catholic Church these rise to a climax with the vigil of the Resurrection on the evening of Holy Saturday. At this time the paschal candle candle, cylinder of wax or tallow containing a wick, used for illumination or for ceremonial purposes. The evidence of ancient writings is not conclusive as to the history of the candle; words translated "candle" may have meant "torch" or "lamp," and the
..... Click the link for more information. is blessed with the hymn Exsultet, and Lent, with its fast, ends at midnight.

Holy Week

the week preceding Easter Sunday