Palm Sunday and Holy Week
Customs associated with the last week of Lent, Holy Week, owe their origin to the liturgical developments in Jerusalem. Egeria in the late fourth century testified to the custom developed in Jerusalem of acting out liturgically the events of Jesus’ last week in Jerusalem, beginning with his triumphal entry to the city. This is the origin of the Palm Sunday procession. The custom gradually spread throughout the church. In some places, other specific events from that week are associated with particular days. In A New Zealand Prayer Book - He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa, the Monday of Holy Week is associated with the Cleansing of the Temple, Tuesday with Teaching in the Temple, and Wednesday with the Anointing at Bethany (pp. 582 - 584).
For Liturgical Use
In the fourth century, Christian pilgrims to Jerusalem developed the custom of processing with palms to the places associated with the triumphal entry of Jesus to the city. We stand in a long tradition of Christians who have sought to remind themselves of the way of the cross on this Palm Sunday. Let us celebrate it with delight and rejoicing; but also let us walk with Christ to the end of the journey on Golgotha, and to the empty tomb.
Sentence, Prayers and Readings as in A New Zealand Prayer Book - He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa, page 580-581.