Palm Sunday, one of the 12 great feasts, which marks the entry of the Savior Jesus Christ into the city of Jerusalem, is observed on Sunday, April 13. On this day, parishioners who fasted can receive communion and are allowed to eat fish and oil and drink wine, IPN reports.

The Church says that on the day of entrance of the Lord into Jerusalem, the people went out to meet the Savior, carrying fig, date and olive branches in their hands. Since those times, Orthodox Christians have come to church with willow branches, which symbolize the Savior's victory over death. Priests bless these branches, which Christians take home and keep all year round.

According to the teachings of the Orthodox Church, the willow blessed on Palm Sunday is a symbol of rebirth and spiritual purity acquired through prayer, and the flowers symbolize faith and virtues.

Popular tradition says that it is good for beekeepers to surround the hives with blessed branches on Palm Day, and farmers to bury the buds under the furrow. In times of storm, buds blessed on Palm Sunday are put in fire to disperse the clouds and hail. It is said that the weather on Easter will be similar to that on Palm Sunday.

Palm Sunday is celebrated every year one week before Easter. From Monday, Orthodox Christians enter Holy Week.