St. Michael Ukrainian Orthodox Church
Feast Day
Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem
Palm Sunday - Entry of Our Lord into Jerusalem / Вхід Господній в Єрусалим
April 4, 2026
Troparion
By raising Lazarus from the dead before Your passion, You confirmed the universal resurrection, O Christ God. Like the children with the palms of victory, we cry out to You, O Vanquisher of Death: Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord.
Kontakion
Sitting on Your throne in heaven, carried on a foal on earth, O Christ God, accept the praise of angels and the songs of children who sing: Blessed is He that comes to recall Adam.
☦ Liturgical Readings
1
Philippians 4:4-9
John 12:1-18
☦ Services
Today we celebrate one of the Great Feasts of the Church: the Entry of Our Lord into Jerusalem, known in the Ukrainian tradition as Вербна Неділя (Willow Sunday). As Christ entered the holy city, the people spread palm branches before Him and cried out, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”
This feast is both joyful and solemn. The same city that welcomed the Lord with palms would, within days, cry out for His crucifixion. And yet Christ entered freely, knowing what awaited Him, because of His great love for us.
In our Ukrainian tradition, we bring pussy willows (верби) to church to be blessed, since palms do not grow in northern lands. The willow is among the first trees to show life after winter, a beautiful symbol of the resurrection that is to come.
As we receive our blessed willows today, let us carry them home as a sign of our own willingness to welcome Christ into our lives, our homes, and our hearts. Let us enter this Holy Week with prayer and with hope.
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!
Announcements
- • Please bring pussy willows (verba) to be blessed during the Divine Liturgy.
- • Holy Week services begin Monday, April 6. See the monthly bulletin for the full schedule.
Fr. Stephen Siniari · 727-503-5207
9201 60th St, Pinellas Park, FL 33782
☦ Please pray for our people in Ukraine ☦