Holy Week is the occasion when Christ's passion, his death and resurrection are celebrated.
Jesus Christ did not accept the kind of life that his people led, the government charging high taxes, extreme riches for some and misery for others.
Upon arriving in Jerusalem, he was acclaimed by the population as the Messiah, the King, but the Romans did not believe that he was son of God, doubted his wise teachings, his mission to save humanity, so they started to Chase you.
Jesus was aware of everything that would pass, of the pilgrimage that would lead to his death. He then invited twelve men whom he called disciples to bring his teachings to the people.
However, Judas Escariot, one of these apostles, also doubted that He was an envoy of God, handing him over to the Romans, who captured him.
Then they made Jesus go through the cross, tied to his cross, carrying it a long way, being tortured, being lashed by soldiers, being cowardly teased until he suffered crucifixion and death.
In 325 d. C, the Council of Nicaea, presided over by the Emperor Constantine and organized by Pope Sylvester I, manufactured and consolidated the doctrine of the Catholic Church, such as the choice of sacred books and dates religious. It was also decided that Holy Week would be celebrated for a week (from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday). There are reports of feasts in honor of Christ's last days, shortly after his death. But they celebrated only two days (Saturday of Hallelujah and Sunday of Resurrection). At this Council Catholicism was also adopted as the official religion of the Roman Empire.
Each day of the commemoration refers to an event: Palm Sunday refers to the entrance of the King, the Messiah, into the city of Jerusalem, to commemorate the Jewish Passover. The following Monday was the day Mary anointed Christ; Tuesday was the day the fig tree was cursed; Wednesday is known as the day of darkness; Thursday was the last supper with his apostles, better known as the Passover seder. Friday was the day of her suffering, her crucifixion. Saturday is known as the day of prayer and fasting, where Christians mourn the death of Jesus. And finally, Easter Sunday, the day he rose again and filled humanity with the hope of eternal life.
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By Jussara de Barros
Graduated in Pedagogy
Brazil School Team
Story - Brazil School
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
BARROS, Jussara de. "Origin of Holy Week"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/historia/origem-da-semana-santa.htm. Accessed on July 27, 2021.
