The Russian Orthodox Church explained the meaning of the consecration of the willow on Lazarus Saturday

Willow branches are consecrated on Lazarus Saturday on the eve of Palm Sunday or on the morning of the holiday itself. At the same time, tradition has no magical meaning. This was announced on April 3 by the head of the missionary department of the Pesochen diocese, Priest Vladislav Beregovoy.

According to him, the consecration of branches is part of the church tradition, but it does not represent the main meaning of the holiday. Beregovoy noted that the main significance of this day is related to the spiritual state of a person.

"The meaning of the holiday is not necessarily to consecrate a twig, but to sanctify our lives," the priest emphasized in an interview with RIA Novosti.

Palm Sunday, or the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, is one of the main Christian holidays. In 2026, it is celebrated on April 5, a week before Easter. The tradition of consecrating the willow is connected with the evangelical events when the inhabitants of Jerusalem greeted Jesus Christ with palm branches, which in the Russian tradition were replaced by willow branches.

Palm Sunday: the main meaning of the holiday, which is forgotten

In 2026, the Lord's Entry into Jerusalem will be celebrated on April 5.

Easter in 2026 will be celebrated on April 12. Beregovoy said on March 19 that the date of the holiday is determined by the lunar-solar calendar and may fall on the period from the beginning of April to the beginning of May. The clergy note the symbolism of Easter's coincidence with Cosmonautics Day, emphasizing the spiritual significance of the holiday and its connection with the idea of overcoming borders.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.