The Coptic Orthodox Church celebrates Palm Sunday this Sunday, as one of the most important religious events of the last week of Great Lent and the beginning of Holy Week, which culminates in Easter Sunday.
On this day, Copts commemorate Jesus Christ’s entry into Jerusalem, where he was greeted by the people waving palm branches and olive branches, chanting “Hosanna in the highest!”
Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, presides over the Palm Sunday Mass at St. Mark’s Cathedral in Alexandria, joined in the prayers by bishops of Alexandria and a large congregation of Copts.
Across the country, squares and areas surrounding churches saw a significant increase in the purchase of palm frond products.
City streets were adorned with various palm frond decorations, coinciding with the Coptic celebrations of Palm Sunday.
Palm frond vendors spread throughout the governorates, offering a variety of palm frond shapes, including crosses, crowns, hearts, and candles, as well as wheat stalks.
One palm frond vendor in the Miami district of Alexandria said that celebrating this day is an annual occasion eagerly awaited by everyone, bringing joy to both the young and old.
Another vendor near the Cathedral of the Archangel in Assiut said that he makes sure to be in the same spot every year to sell palm fronds and various other items.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
