How Nigerians celebrate Palm Sunday

Christians in Nigeria and across the world have gathered in celebration of the Palm Sunday, marking the final Sunday in the Lenten season and the start of the Christian holy week.

The holy week is the week leading to Easter and is held in remembrance of Jesus’ time in Jerusalem, before he died and was resurrected.

The Palm Sunday is also in remembrance of the day Jesus entered into Jerusalem in triumph, riding on the back of a donkey.

It is a solemn day where Christians pay their respects to their savior and reflect on the sacrifices he made.

Meanwhile, a blast has taken place outside a church in northern Egypt, leaving at least two people dead.

The explosion occurred hours after a separate blast which killed at least 25 people during a Palm Sunday service in the Nile Delta.

As gathered from Reuters, the Nile Delta explosion comes as Islamic State’s branch in Egypt appears to be stepping up attacks on Christians and threatening them in messages blasted out to followers.

Also in Anambra, Christians from the Church of the Holy Spirit, Awka, the state capital, engaged in a procession in celebration of the Palm Sunday.

The Vicar of the parish, Reverend Canon Jason Onyeakagbusi, upon the return of the congregation and clergy from the procession, prayed that the palms be a sign of victory for the church.

He also prayed that just as Jesus Christ triumphantly entered Jerusalem as king, he would enter every nation, especially Nigeria and Anambra state and cleanse them of every political and economic mess.

“Jesus triumphantly entered into Jerusalem, it is also our belief and faith that he will enter into every heart triumphantly and when he enters into the heart, he will cleanse the mess. Jesus will enter into every nation – He will enter into Nigeria and when He enters into Nigeria, every political mess, and economical mess will be cleansed.

“When He enters into Anambra state, every economic mess, every political mess will be cleansed and we will have a cleaner place to live in, a place where the will of God is done,” Reverend Onyeakagbusi said.