Egypt Daily News – This morning, Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, celebrated the Palm Sunday Mass—popularly known as “Shaanin Sunday”—at the Saint Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Alexandria.
The deacons’ choir welcomed His Holiness with palm branches and crosses, chanting the Palm Sunday hymn. His Holiness then led the Palm Sunday procession, in which they moved around the church, stopping in front of various icons, the northern and southern church doors, and the basin area. At each of the 12 stops, a Gospel passage relevant to the icon or location was read.
After the procession, Pope Tawadros continued with the Divine Liturgy and delivered a sermon in which he described Palm Sunday as a unique event in both history and church rituals. He noted that Christ’s entry into Jerusalem is mentioned by all four Gospel writers, and that the day also concludes with the General Funeral Prayer.
His Holiness pointed out that one of the key symbols of Palm Sunday is the use of palm branches and olive branches.
At the end of the sermon, he extended his congratulations to the congregation on behalf of the attending bishops.
Palm Sunday, commonly known among the people as “Shaanin Sunday” or “Palm Sunday,” is one of the seven major feasts of the Lord in the Coptic Orthodox Church. It marks the beginning of Holy Pascha Week, which ends with the Glorious Feast of the Resurrection.
Following the Liturgy, His Holiness led the “General Funeral Prayer” according to the church’s liturgical order, which is traditionally held after the Palm Sunday Mass and before the start of the Holy Pascha services.
The celebration was attended by general bishops overseeing the pastoral sectors in Alexandria, Father Abraam Emil, General Vicar of the Patriarchate in Alexandria, the church’s priests, and a large congregation that filled the cathedral.
