Orthodox holidays in April: Palm Sunday, Easter and Farewells

In April 2026, several key Orthodox holidays will be celebrated: Palm Sunday, which symbolizes the Lord’s entry into Jerusalem, the Resurrection of Christ, and the Sunday of the Presentation. Father Bohdan Boyko, rector of St. Michael’s Cathedral in Zhytomyr, spoke about the features of these holidays and the date of the consecration of the willow and Easter eggs.

Palm Sunday

For Eastern Orthodox Christians, Palm Sunday in 2026 falls on April 5. This holiday commemorates the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, as described in the Gospel. Christ arrived on a donkey, and the crowd greeted him with shouts of “hosanna” and laid palm branches at his feet, noted Father Bohdan Boyko.

The people accepted him as a king, hoping for liberation. As the priest explained, Jesus had previously resurrected Lazarus, who had died four days earlier, which gave hope and encouragement to those present.

Bright Week and Holy Week

After the Resurrection of Christ, during the period of Bright Week, Christians will glorify the resurrected Jesus. This week ends with Holy Week, which in 2026 is celebrated on April 19. This is a day of remembrance for the dead, when relatives visit their graves.

According to Father Bohdan Boyko, on Holy Sunday from 9 a.m., services will be held in all cemeteries in Zhytomyr, dedicated to the memory of all the deceased.