Christians take out palm and coconut frond processions to commemorate Palm Sunday in Vijayawada on Sunday. | Photo credit: GN RAO
To mark Palm Sunday, Christian devotees in the city took part in special prayers and went out in processions on Sunday morning (March 29, 2026) waving palm branches to symbolize the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem.
The celebrations began around 7:00 am at St. Paul’s Cathedral near Benz Circle where devotees gathered led by Reverend Muvval Prasad. As part of the traditional ceremony, the faithful walked in a procession with palm and coconut leaves from the bishop’s dhyanashram and proceeded towards the cathedral in a prayerful atmosphere. They sang hymns of devotion and reverence.
Speaking on the occasion, Reverend Prasad said that Holy Week is a sacred season for Christians and commemorates the suffering, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He emphasized that Christ sacrificed his life for the salvation of mankind and called on the faithful to think, pray and seek forgiveness. He said special prayers and services will be held in churches across the city during the week as part of the Holy Week celebrations.
At the All Nation’s Church in Mogulrajpuram, Sunday school children sang ‘Hosanna to the King’ and waved palm fronds as part of a special service. In his message, Pastor Vijay Sastry said Palm Sunday, the Sunday before Easter, marks Jesus as the messianic king who brings peace, riding a humble donkey, not a war horse. This event ushers in his ultimate sacrifice to conquer sin and death through his suffering, he said, adding that Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on a donkey fulfills prophecy (Zechariah 9:9), showing his role as a humble and peaceful king.
Referring to his triumphal entry, he quoted Bible verses describing how crowds greeted Jesus by waving palm branches – symbols of peace and victory – and laying them on the ground, acknowledging Him as King.
Published – 29 March 2026 23:08 IST
