Believers in the Central Travancore district of Pathanamthitta observed Palm Sunday, commemorating the triumphant arrival of Jesus Christ on a donkey-back in Jerusalem from Jericho, days before his Passion, with religious fervour on Sunday.
Special service was offered as part of the Palm Sunday celebrations at various churches in the forenoon.
The Palm Sunday, also known as ‘Osaana-Njayar’ and ‘kuruthola perunaal,’ marks the beginning of the Holy Week that recalls the last days of Jesus Christ.
Kuruthola-pradakshinon, in which believers take out processions, holding tender leaves of coconut tree (kuruthola) and reciting Biblical verses, was held as part of the special Palm Sunday service at various churches in the district.
Chief celebrant
The Metropolitan Archbishop of the Thiruvala Archdiocese of the Syro Malankara Catholic Church, Thomas Mar Koorilos, was the chief celebrant of the Palm Sunday service held at the St John’s Metropolitan Cathedral in Thiruvalla in the morning. Bishop Yuhanon Mar Chrysostum, led the special service at the St Stephen’s Cathedral in Pathanamthitta.
According to Mar Koorilos, the believers holding crosses made of palm leaves in the procession was to recall the waving of palm leaves by the people of Jerusalem on the arrival of Jesus Christ and to recall the cross on which Christ died.
Believers display these ‘Kuruthola’ at their homes through out the year as a symbol of their faith. The crosses will be burnt at the start of the Lent season next year to use the ash for the Ash Wednesday.