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Palm Sunday Opens in Cuzco

Every year, Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, today. On this day people celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. The palms and the fervor of the population make this day a remembrance of what happened in those times. The faithful follow the activities of Holy Week closely.

From early in the morning people attend mass with palms fronds made into the form of a cross. After they are blessed by the priest people take them home as a symbol of the initiation of Holy Week. Other people prepare these fronds so that people can buy them and take them home.

The Procession of Saint Ramos (Walter Coraza Morveli)
The Procession of Saint Ramos (Walter Coraza Morveli)

The Main Square, Cuzco’s Plaza de Armas, has the biggest crowds. People come from all over to hear mass and for the priest to bless their palms. As the day advances other churches in the city perform a staging of the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Every one follows this act that terminates in the door of the church.

Little ones also enjoy this day learning about all that Palm Sunday brings. After attending mass they find the vendors of products for Holy Week, such as the colorful empanadas, the sighs (meringues), and the special breads, among others.

A Boy Carrying the Incense (Walter Coraza Morveli)
A Boy Carrying the Incense (Walter Coraza Morveli)

On this day people begin by having the famous empanadas for breakfast or by enjoying something sweet for Holy Week. Like the sweetness that Jesus brought. If you could not attend mass in the morning you can do so in the afternoon since this day, especially, there are masses in a varied schedule.

This is one of the highlights of the ritual calendar of Cuzco. Enjoy this Christian feast, Palm Sunday, with its palms and its fronds, as well as the special treats of Holy Week and by teaching little ones about themeaning of the day.

Palm Sunday in Cuzco, Catedral Church (Walter Coraza Morveli)
Palm Sunday in Cuzco, Catedral Church (Walter Coraza Morveli)

Brayan Coraza Morveli

Soy completamente cusqueño. Mi profesión es analista de sistemas. Me encanta escuchar y tocar la música andina tanto como bailar break. Me gusta también compartir mi experiencias como cusqueño con gente de otros lados. Una de mis metas es llegar a conocer mi cultura más profundamente y compartirla ampliamente con gente de otras generaciones tanto como con hermanos y hermanas de otros lados de nuestra planeta.

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