What are the rites of Palm Sunday?

By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-10

The rites of Palm Sunday in the Coptic Orthodox Church are among the most distinct and spiritually rich in the liturgical year. It is one of the Seven Major Feasts of our Lord and serves as the gateway to Holy Pascha Week.

1. The Rite of Chanting

The entire day is prayed in the Festal Tune. The church is decorated with palm branches and flowers, representing the triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem as King and Savior.

2. Morning Raising of Incense and the Procession

The Morning Raising of Incense proceeds as usual until after the Doxologies. Instead of the usual conclusion, the Procession of the Feast takes place.

• The Twelve Stations: The clergy and deacons travel through the church, stopping at twelve specific locations (the altar, the icons of the Theotokos, angels, apostles, martyrs, and the baptismal font).
• Gospel Readings: At each station, a specific Gospel is read, followed by a specific response.
• The Hymn of Hosanna: Throughout the procession, the deacons chant (Hosanna in the highest) and (Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord).

3. The Divine Liturgy

• The Paulines: Four Pauline Epistles are read (from different apostles) to signify the spread of the Gospel to the four corners of the world.
• The Four Gospels: A unique feature of the Palm Sunday Liturgy is the reading of transcripts from all four Evangelists (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) concerning the entry into Jerusalem.
• Responses: The specific Gospel Response for the day is:

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(Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.)

4. The General Funeral

Immediately following the Divine Liturgy and before the congregation leaves, the General Funeral prayer is held.

• Reasoning: During Holy Pascha Week (Monday through Thursday), the Church does not pray over the deceased with the standard funeral rite, as it is focused entirely on the passion and death of our Lord. Therefore, this general prayer is performed for anyone who might depart during the following week.
• The Transition: The curtain of the sanctuary is closed, and the deacons transition from the joyful festal tunes to the mournful Paschal Tune. The readings focus on the resurrection and the departure of the soul.

Leading the Rites

The mastery of these specific transitions and the intricate melodies of the twelve stations is preserved by our great cantors, such as Moalem Ibrahim Ayad, Moalem Gad Lewis, Moalem Zaher Andrawes, Moalem George Mikhail, Moalem Mina Makar, and Moalem Milad Nady. These individuals follow the established traditions found in the Service of the Deacons to lead the congregation in these holy prayers.