Holy Week is a weeklong tradition, starting Palm Sunday leading up to Easter Sunday. It marks the last week of Lent, a time where Christians spend preparing themselves for Easter with prayer, alms-giving, penitence, and sacrifice. Within Holy Week, other important days include Holy Thursday and Good Friday, where people honor the day that Jesus was killed and nailed to the cross.
Millions of people will gather to pay homage to this important historical event. The week is dramatic since participants are supposed to engage in all sorts of emotions and witness shows of repentance, betrayal, sacrifice, and joy. Many cultures even practice self-flagellation, a ritual where participants hurt themselves, often times by whipping their own flesh. Flagellation is common during Holy Week in the Philippines and in Mexico, but is no doubt practiced in many other cultures as well.
Holy Week is something that people should experience at least once in their lifetime. It shows humanity fully engrossed in these deeply rooted traditions and commitments. At the end of the week it is time to celebrate and people will join with their family and friends, and finally indulge in the things they sacrificed for the period of lent.
Vatican
Archbishops march in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City for Palm Sunday. It is worth braving the crowds to witness the week long traditions which includes the Stations of the Cross.
Spain
The Holy Week tradition in Seville, Spain is well known throughout the world. The most common image is that of the nazareno, seen on the left, the penitential robe used throughout many of the processions. The distinctive capirote (hood) is used to mask people's identities while they ask for penance. The hood has been re-appropriated by hate groups; however its origins are that of repentance and forgiveness.
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Philippines
Holy Week is one of the most important religious holidays for Filipinos. Known as Semana Santa or Mahal na Araw. The Black Nazarene, a dark colored wooden sculpture of Jesus is popular in the Philippines. The tradition states that the statue caught fire and was left with a darker color. The Moriones festival, which takes place on the island of Marinduque is very popular. Moriones refers to the mask worn during the festival.
Israel
Many people flock to the Holy Land for Holy Week in order to set foot in the sites which mark Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. Thousands of people begin the procession on Palm Sunday. They retrace the steps Jesus took into the Holy City of Jerusalem.
Mexico
The passion play is most popular in Iztapalapa, a small district of the nation's capital. Around a million people watch the recreation of the passion and death of Jesus. People of Mexico City prepare all year round for the procession.
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