Yahoo Finance: Holy Week - The seven days before Easter

Penitents place a statue of Jesus Christ on top of a float during the Palm Sunday procession of the "Estudiantes" brotherhood in Oviedo, northern Spain April 13, 2014. Hundreds of processions take place round-the-clock during Holy Week in Spain, drawing thousands of visitors. REUTERS/Eloy Alonso (SPAIN - Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY)

Yahoo Lifestyle•17 April 2014

According to the Christian year, the seven days before Easter Sunday are regarded as Holy Week. It begins with Palm Sunday or Passion Sunday, which commemorates the entry of the Messiah to Jerusalem. Faithful Christians take out processions holding palm leaves or clusters of olive branches. The next three days are known as Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday and Holy Wednesday. 

On Holy Monday, the Gospel tells of the anointing of Jesus at Bethany; on Holy Tuesday it recalls the foretelling of the betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot and Peter's denial of Jesus; on Holy Wednesday the Gospel retells Judas' arranging the betrayal of Jesus with the high priests. Maundy Thursday observes the Last Supper of Jesus, the Holy Communion, with the Twelve Apostles. Good Friday observes the day of Jesus' crucifixion. On Holy Saturday, the following day, the church does not observe Mass but awaits at the symbolic tomb and begins the Easter Vigil. Holy Week officially ends before Easter Sunday, which celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

ENLACE