Palm Sunday 2026: One of the Oldest Celebrations in the Church Calendar to be Celebrated in Ukraine
On April 5, 2026, Orthodox Christians and Greek Catholics in Ukraine will celebrate one of the oldest and most popular holidays in the church calendar—Palm Sunday, also known as the Entrance of the Lord into Jerusalem.
This holiday has deep roots in Christian tradition and symbolizes the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, where He was joyfully welcomed and palm leaves were laid at His feet. Since palm trees do not grow in Ukraine, it is customary to use willow branches on this day.
The tradition of blessing willow in Ukraine has a long history. As researcher Oleksa Voropai noted, this custom was mentioned as far back as the Izbornyk of 1073. Traditionally, people go to churches with willow branches, which are blessed during the service. After the service, it is customary in villages to hold playful battles with the willow branches, adding a special color and joy to the celebration.
According to Voropai, often, upon returning from church with the blessed willow, homeowners would not enter their houses immediately but would plant several branches in their gardens or fields, "to grow for the glory of God and for our use, the people." The remaining branches were taken home and placed on the corner under the icons, which is an important part of the traditional celebration.
However, due to the full-scale invasion by the Russian aggressor, attendance at churches during the holidays in Ukraine has been limited. This has affected the ability of many believers to participate in traditional celebrations. Nevertheless, to ensure that everyone can join in the festivities, the solemn services for Palm Sunday in the cathedrals of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church will be broadcast by the Suspilne Kultura channel on April 5.
Specifically, the Divine Liturgy of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine will begin at 09:01, while the Sunday Liturgy of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church will start at 11:00. These services will also be available for viewing on the YouTube channel of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and on the YouTube channel of the UGCC Live Television, allowing everyone who wishes to participate in the celebration from the comfort of their homes.
Thus, Palm Sunday 2026 will not only be a day of celebration but also an opportunity for believers to unite in prayer and honor traditions, despite the challenges facing the country. The celebration of this important holiday, even under restrictions, demonstrates the resilience of the Ukrainian people and their faith in a better future.