What is Holy Week? What is Holy Week? Holy Week, sometimes called Passion Week, remembers the journey Jesus took in the days leading up to Easter Sunday, starting with His triumphant entry into Jerusalem on what is fondly called ‘Palm Sunday.’ Each day commemorates a different part of the story. Some people include Easter Sunday as part of the week, whilst others do not. The days can be broken down as follows: Palm Sunday: Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey. Holy Monday: Jesus cleanses the temple. Holy Tuesday: Jesus teaches in parables. Holy Wednesday/Spy Wednesday: Judas betrays Jesus. Maundy Thursday/Holy Thursday: Jesus shares the Last Supper with his disciples, washes their feet, and establishes the Eucharist. Good Friday: Jesus is crucified on the cross and gives up His spirit. Holy Saturday/The Great Sabbath: Jesus is buried in a temporary grave. Easter Sunday: Christ is resurrected and appears to many. When is Holy Week 2025? This year, Holy Week starts on Sunday 13th April, and ends on Sunday, 20th April 2025. The dates will change according to where Easter Sunday falls each year. Who celebrates Holy Week? Observed across Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox circles, it is a widely celebrated event that can be dated as far back as the 3rd century. Today, you will find a wide mix of churches celebrating in a variety of ways depending on the region and denomination. How is Holy Week celebrated? Jesus’s journey to the cross is recorded in the four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), each with a unique angle of the event. For each of the days, you can read along in either one of the gospels or all four. In some churches, there will be additional services. For example, on Maundy Thursday and, most commonly, Good Friday. For Holy Week this year, OM have put together a short scripture reading from one of the gospels, a reflection from the Old Testament, a worship song, and a prayer for each of the days. Join us as we reflect on Christ’s journey together here: Holy Week 2025 Here’s an overview of how each day is celebrated: Day 1: Palm Sunday The journey begins with Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, riding on the colt of a donkey. The crowds welcomed Him, shouting “Hosanna” and “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” In church services, the congregation will sometimes be given palm branches (often handmade, or from a different type of tree due to palm trees not being common in the UK) to wave or lay down, symbolising the crowd’s reactions as Jesus made His way to Jerusalem. Where to find it in the Bible Matthew 21:1-11 Mark 11:1-11 Luke 19:28-44 John 12:12-19 Day 2: Holy Monday On the next day, Jesus cleansed the temple. Having found the temple filled with money changers and merchants, He drove them out. There are some common theories on why He did this. One is that the traders were using the part of the temple allocated for Gentiles to worship (preventing them from worshipping), and the other is that the traders were taking advantage of the poor. There is some debate among scholars on whether John’s account of this event was a separate occurrence or not. Holy Monday is not typically marked with a special church service, but rather a time of personal reflection. Where to find it in the Bible Matthew 21:12-17 Mark 11:15–19 Luke 19:45–48 John 2:13–16 Day 3: Holy Tuesday On Holy Tuesday, we remember the parables that Jesus taught in His final week on earth. There is so much in these passages that it would be impossible to summarise them authentically. Many of the parables focus on the Kingdom of God, being prepared for the End Times/Second Coming, and faithful stewardship of God’s gifts to us. It’s well worth giving these a read on Holy Tuesday! Like Holy Monday, the church does not typically have a service on this day. Where to find it in the Bible Matthew 21:28-25:46 Matthew 21:28-32 (The Two Sons) Matthew 21:33-46 (The Tenants) Matthew 22:1-13 (The Wedding Banquet) Matthew 24:1-51 (The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times) Matthew 25:1-13 (The Parable of the Ten Virgins) Matthew 25:14-30 (Parable of the Bags of Gold) Matthew 25:31-46 (The Sheep and Goats) Mark 12:1-13:37 Mark 12:1-12 (The Tenants) Mark 12:41-44 (Widow's Offering) Mark 13:1-37 (The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times) Luke 20:9-21:4 Luke 20:9-19 (Parable of the Tenants) Luke 21:1-4 (Widow's Offering) Luke 21:5-38 (The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times) Day 4: Holy Wednesday (Spy Wednesday) A pivotal point in Jesus’ journey is when Judas went to the chief priests and offered to betray Jesus. Up until this point, those in opposition to Jesus’ teachings were unable to find a way to get rid of Him. This action set into motion the events that followed. Whilst there won’t be celebrations on this day, it’s an important time of solemn reflection, to consider our own relationship with Christ, and think of the ways believers may ‘betray’ Jesus today. It’s a difficult subject to think about, but conversely, so important to pray against in our own walk with Christ. Where to find it in the Bible Matthew 26:14-16 Mark 14:10-11 Luke 22:1-6 John 13:21-32 Day 5: Maundy Thursday (Holy Thursday) Maundy Thursday marks the beginning of the three days leading up to Easter, often called the Triduum. Some churches will have a special service to commemorate this important day, usually sharing communion together. On this day, we recount the events of the Last Supper (the Passover meal Jesus shared with His disciples) when Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, demonstrating humility and service. It is also the day Jesus established the Eucharist (communion), which remains a central sacrament in Christian worship today. Where to find it in the Bible Matthew 26:17-30 Mark 14:12-26 Luke 22:7-30 John 13:3-17 Day 6: Good Friday On the sixth day of Holy Week, we remember the moment when Jesus was crucified on the cross, having endured unspeakable torture and mockery, and ultimately giving up His spirit. This sombre day is a key moment in the Christian faith, marking Jesus' ultimate sacrifice for humanity's sins. It is one of the most widely celebrated days in Holy Week, with Good Friday services happening up and down the country. The services are often quieter and subdued, as we wait for the celebrations of Sunday. Where to find it in the Bible Matthew 27:32-56 Mark 15:21-41 Luke 23:26-49 John 19:16-37 Day 7: Holy Saturday (the Great Sabbath) After Jesus’ death, His body was taken down from the cross and placed in a temporary tomb belonging to a man named Joseph. Because it was the Sabbath, His body was left to rest until the Sabbath was over. Holy Saturday is a contemplative day of waiting, marked with a sense of anticipation for the joy that resurrection Sunday brings. It is a time to meditate on the significance of Jesus’ death and the promise of His resurrection. We know how this story ends, but I imagine that this was an unsettling day for the disciples. Where to find it in the Bible Matthew 27:57-66 Mark 15:42-47 Luke 23:50-56 John 19:38-42 Day 8: Easter Sunday Easter Sunday is one of the biggest events in the Christian calendar as we celebrate a moment that changed history forever. At dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other women went to the tomb with the spices they had prepared, only to find it empty. After being told by an angel to tell Jesus’ disciples that He had risen from the dead, they were then met by Jesus himself. What a joyful moment! Churches will typically hold a special Easter service, with some having an additional ‘sunrise service,’ meeting at the crack of dawn to celebrate this triumphant morning and worship our risen saviour. Where to find it in the Bible Matthew 28:1-10 Mark 16:1-8 Luke 24:1-43 John 20:1-29 Conclusion There are a variety of ways to celebrate Holy Week. If you’d like to get involved in observing the Holy Week with others, try finding out what the churches in your area are doing, or find some services online. If you’re good at bringing people together, why not start your own small group meeting to observe each of the days? You could also do something individually, spending some time each day reflecting and meditating, preparing for Easter. OM have put together a scripture reading from one of the gospels, along with an Old Testament scripture pointing to that moment, a worship song, and a prayer to guide you through each day. If you’d like to use these resources for yourself, small group, or church, you can find them here: Holy Week 2025 Manage Cookie Preferences