An Introduction to Holy Week

The practice of Holy Week (Passion Week) finds its roots among early Christian disciples who were eager to deepen their faith by following the historical path of Jesus in Jerusalem as he made his way to the cross during the last days of his life. The basic notion that drawing close to Jesus in his suffering through scripture, prayer, reflection, corporate worship and community life is a key source of corporate and personal spiritual renewal is central to Christian spirituality. Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday and ends with the celebration of the Resurrection on the following Sunday morning. The traditional highpoints of Holy Week worship, in addition to Palm Sunday, are Maundy Thursday (foot washing) and Good Friday (suffering/crucifixion).

Over time and across traditions, Holy Week devotion has taken various forms and continues to be expressed in various ancient and contemporary ways today. While Holy Week has been practiced historically be Christians in the historic catholic traditions, more recently it has become increasingly prevalent among other Christian communities including, mainline protestants, evangelicals, charismatics, and emergent.

In the context of a local Christian community, the aim of Holy Week is to provide people with the sense that their community is continuing on a journey with Jesus in a very focused, intentional, cross – centered way. Holy Week practice says to us – “Receive this gift of making a week holy for the purpose of drawing closer to Jesus, the holy one who suffered to bring God’s compassion to the world. Take this gift of time to set apart Christ in your heart as Lord.” Holy Week also provides us a way to remember that our local communities are a part of a larger, universal church community which lives by the drama of Jesus life, death, and resurrection.