Thousands commemorate Palm Sunday ahead of Easter celebrations

Catholic faithful in a procession to celebrate Palm Sunday along the streets of Nakuru town, on Sunday March 20 2016.The day marks the beginning of Holy Week, the week of events leading up to Jesus' death. PHOTO KIPSANG JOSEPH

Several faithful gathered at Holy Family Minor Basilica for the Palm Sunday service where they were urged to offer themselves in humility to Jesus Christ.

The Church's Rev Jackson Karomo called on the congregation to empty out everything that hinders the reign of Christ in their lives.

"In humility we allow Christ to reign in us," said Karomo.

The faithful gathered outside the church where there was a procession with the palm branches and the reading of a scripture before moving into the church for the sermon.

Palm Sunday marks the last Sunday before Easter. It is significant because it represents the beginning of Holy Week, part of the Christian calendar that focuses on Jesus' last days before he was crucified.

The week is represented by Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday.

The sacred Christian holiday commemorates the entry of Christ into Jerusalem, where he rode into town on a donkey as crowds of people gleefully greeted him and spread out palm branches in his path.

His riding a donkey to symbolized his arrival in peace.

Palm branches are a widely recognized symbol of peace and victory, and in Biblical times were often thrown before the feet of a conquering hero in homage.

This week between Palm Sunday and Holy Saturday- the day before Easter Sunday- Christians remember the time when Christ was betrayed, put on trial and then executed on the cross.

The holiday is celebrated by almost all Christian denominations.

Earlier last month there was the Lent season marked with the celebration of Ash Wednesday where the faithful observed it for 40 days ahead of Easter celebrations.