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Yahoo LifestyleHoly Week - The seven days before Easter
1/27Hooded Filipino penitents perform rituals including flagellating one another in front of an image of Jesus Christ during Maundy Thursday, April 17, 2014, in suburban Mandaluyong, east of Manila, Philippines. The ritual is frowned upon by church leaders in this predominantly Roman Catholic country. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Hooded Filipino penitents perform rituals including flagellating one another in front of an image of Jesus Christ during Maundy Thursday, April 17, 2014, in suburban Mandaluyong, east of Manila, Philippines. The ritual is frowned upon by church leaders in this predominantly Roman Catholic country. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)![Hooded Filipino penitents flagellate during Maundy Thursday rituals to atone for sins on April 17, 2014, in suburban Mandaluyong, east of Manila, Philippines. The ritual is frowned upon by church leaders in this predominantly Roman Catholic country. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)]()
2/27Hooded Filipino penitents flagellate during Maundy Thursday rituals to atone for sins on April 17, 2014, in suburban Mandaluyong, east of Manila, Philippines. The ritual is frowned upon by church leaders in this predominantly Roman Catholic country. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Hooded Filipino penitents flagellate during Maundy Thursday rituals to atone for sins on April 17, 2014, in suburban Mandaluyong, east of Manila, Philippines. The ritual is frowned upon by church leaders in this predominantly Roman Catholic country. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)![A hooded Filipino penitent has two pointed wooden sticks tied to his arms as he joins others in Maundy Thursday rituals to atone for sins on April 17, 2014 in suburban Mandaluyong, east of Manila, Philippines. The bizarre ritual is frowned upon by church leaders in this predominantly Roman Catholic country. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)]()
3/27A hooded Filipino penitent has two pointed wooden sticks tied to his arms as he joins others in Maundy Thursday rituals to atone for sins on April 17, 2014 in suburban Mandaluyong, east of Manila, Philippines. The bizarre ritual is frowned upon by church leaders in this predominantly Roman Catholic country. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
A hooded Filipino penitent has two pointed wooden sticks tied to his arms as he joins others in Maundy Thursday rituals to atone for sins on April 17, 2014 in suburban Mandaluyong, east of Manila, Philippines. The bizarre ritual is frowned upon by church leaders in this predominantly Roman Catholic country. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)![A devotee grimaces as he prays outside a chapel during a Maundy Thursday ritual by penitents to atone for sins in Angeles, Pampanga north of Manila April 17, 2014. Flagellation is a form of religious discipline observed every lenten season by Catholic devotees in the Philippines REUTERS/Erik De Castro (PHILIPPINES - Tags: SOCIETY RELIGION)]()
4/27Devotee grimaces as he prays outside a chapel during a Maundy Thursday ritual by penitents to atone for sins in Angeles
A devotee grimaces as he prays outside a chapel during a Maundy Thursday ritual by penitents to atone for sins in Angeles, Pampanga north of Manila April 17, 2014. Flagellation is a form of religious discipline observed every lenten season by Catholic devotees in the Philippines REUTERS/Erik De Castro (PHILIPPINES - Tags: SOCIETY RELIGION)REUTERS![A masked flagellant lies prostrate on the ground as he prays outside a chapel during a Maundy Thursday ritual by penitents to atone for sins in Angeles, Pampanga north of Manila April 17, 2014. Flagellation is a form of religious discipline observed every lenten season by Catholic devotees in the Philippines REUTERS/Erik De Castro (PHILIPPINES - Tags: SOCIETY RELIGION)]()
5/27Masked flagellant lies prostrate on the ground as he prays outside a chapel during a Maundy Thursday ritual by penitents to atone for sins in Angeles
A masked flagellant lies prostrate on the ground as he prays outside a chapel during a Maundy Thursday ritual by penitents to atone for sins in Angeles, Pampanga north of Manila April 17, 2014. Flagellation is a form of religious discipline observed every lenten season by Catholic devotees in the Philippines REUTERS/Erik De Castro (PHILIPPINES - Tags: SOCIETY RELIGION)REUTERS![A man whips a devotee during a Maundy Thursday ritual by penitents to atone for sins in Angeles, Pampanga north of Manila April 17, 2014. Flagellation is a form of religious discipline observed every lenten season by Catholic devotees in the Philippines REUTERS/Erik De Castro (PHILIPPINES - Tags: SOCIETY RELIGION TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)]()
6/27Man whips a devotee during a Maundy Thursday ritual by penitents to atone for sins in Angeles
A man whips a devotee during a Maundy Thursday ritual by penitents to atone for sins in Angeles, Pampanga north of Manila April 17, 2014. Flagellation is a form of religious discipline observed every lenten season by Catholic devotees in the Philippines REUTERS/Erik De Castro (PHILIPPINES - Tags: SOCIETY RELIGION TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)REUTERS![A masked devotee prays outside a chapel during a Maundy Thursday ritual by penitents to atone for sins in Angeles, Pampanga north of Manila April 17, 2014. Flagellation is a form of religious discipline observed every lenten season by Catholic devotees in the Philippines REUTERS/Erik De Castro (PHILIPPINES - Tags: SOCIETY RELIGION)]()
7/27Masked devotee prays outside a chapel during a Maundy Thursday ritual by penitents to atone for sins in Angeles
A masked devotee prays outside a chapel during a Maundy Thursday ritual by penitents to atone for sins in Angeles, Pampanga north of Manila April 17, 2014. Flagellation is a form of religious discipline observed every lenten season by Catholic devotees in the Philippines REUTERS/Erik De Castro (PHILIPPINES - Tags: SOCIETY RELIGION)REUTERS![ATTENTION EDITORS - VISUAL COVERAGE OF SCENES OF INJURY OR DEATH Flagellants lie prostrate on the ground as the pray outside a chapel during a Maundy Thursday ritual by penitents to atone for sins in Angeles, Pampanga north of Manila April 17, 2014. Flagellation is a form of religious discipline observed every lenten season by Catholic devotees in the Philippines REUTERS/Erik De Castro (PHILIPPINES - Tags: SOCIETY RELIGION) TEMPLATE OUT]()
8/27Flagellants lie prostrate on the ground as the pray outside a chapel during a Maundy Thursday ritual by penitents to atone for sins in Angeles
ATTENTION EDITORS - VISUAL COVERAGE OF SCENES OF INJURY OR DEATH Flagellants lie prostrate on the ground as the pray outside a chapel during a Maundy Thursday ritual by penitents to atone for sins in Angeles, Pampanga north of Manila April 17, 2014. Flagellation is a form of religious discipline observed every lenten season by Catholic devotees in the Philippines REUTERS/Erik De Castro (PHILIPPINES - Tags: SOCIETY RELIGION) TEMPLATE OUTREUTERS![Devotees cover their heads with leaves during a Maundy Thursday ritual by penitents to atone for sins in Angeles, Pampanga north of Manila April 17, 2014. Flagellation is a form of religious discipline observed every lenten season by Catholic devotees in the Philippines REUTERS/Erik De Castro (PHILIPPINES - Tags: SOCIETY RELIGION)]()
9/27Devotees cover their heads with leaves during a Maundy Thursday ritual by penitents to atone for sins in Angeles
Devotees cover their heads with leaves during a Maundy Thursday ritual by penitents to atone for sins in Angeles, Pampanga north of Manila April 17, 2014. Flagellation is a form of religious discipline observed every lenten season by Catholic devotees in the Philippines REUTERS/Erik De Castro (PHILIPPINES - Tags: SOCIETY RELIGION)REUTERS![Palm fronds weaved into crosses lay for sale at a Palm Sunday Mass in El Alto, Bolivia, Sunday, April 13, 2014. For Christians, Palm Sunday marks Jesus Christ's entrance into Jerusalem, when his followers laid palm branches in his path, prior to his crucifixion. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)]()
10/27Palm fronds weaved into crosses lay for sale at a Palm Sunday Mass in El Alto, Bolivia, Sunday, April 13, 2014. For Christians, Palm Sunday marks Jesus Christ's entrance into Jerusalem, when his followers laid palm branches in his path, prior to his crucifixion. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)
Palm fronds weaved into crosses lay for sale at a Palm Sunday Mass in El Alto, Bolivia, Sunday, April 13, 2014. For Christians, Palm Sunday marks Jesus Christ's entrance into Jerusalem, when his followers laid palm branches in his path, prior to his crucifixion. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)![A Filipino boy participates in Palm Sunday rites outside the Holy Family Parish Church in Quezon city, north of Manila, Philippines on Sunday, April 13, 2014. Palm Sunday marks the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem and ushers in the Holy Week observance among Catholics worldwide. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)]()
11/27A Filipino boy participates in Palm Sunday rites outside the Holy Family Parish Church in Quezon city, north of Manila, Philippines on Sunday, April 13, 2014. Palm Sunday marks the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem and ushers in the Holy Week observance among Catholics worldwide. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
A Filipino boy participates in Palm Sunday rites outside the Holy Family Parish Church in Quezon city, north of Manila, Philippines on Sunday, April 13, 2014. Palm Sunday marks the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem and ushers in the Holy Week observance among Catholics worldwide. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)![Penitents take part in the procession during Palm Sunday, prior to Spain Holy Week, in Pamplona, northern Spain, Sunday April 13, 2014. Spanish devoted Catholics take part in a lot of religious ceremonies during Holy Week. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)]()
12/27Penitents take part in the procession during Palm Sunday, prior to Spain Holy Week, in Pamplona, northern Spain, Sunday April 13, 2014. Spanish devoted Catholics take part in a lot of religious ceremonies during Holy Week. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
Penitents take part in the procession during Palm Sunday, prior to Spain Holy Week, in Pamplona, northern Spain, Sunday April 13, 2014. Spanish devoted Catholics take part in a lot of religious ceremonies during Holy Week. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)![The three years old Thomas Haitzmann eats a "Palmbrezeln" after a Palm Sunday procession in Lofer, Austrian province of Salzburg, Sunday, April 13, 2014. Palm Sunday opens the Holy Week which ends with Easter Sunday, the most important Christian holiday. (AP Photo/Kerstin Joensson)]()
13/27The three years old Thomas Haitzmann eats a "Palmbrezeln" after a Palm Sunday procession in Lofer, Austrian province of Salzburg, Sunday, April 13, 2014. Palm Sunday opens the Holy Week which ends with Easter Sunday, the most important Christian holiday. (AP Photo/Kerstin Joensson)
The three years old Thomas Haitzmann eats a "Palmbrezeln" after a Palm Sunday procession in Lofer, Austrian province of Salzburg, Sunday, April 13, 2014. Palm Sunday opens the Holy Week which ends with Easter Sunday, the most important Christian holiday. (AP Photo/Kerstin Joensson)![Residents carry traditionally hand made palms during a Palm Sunday procession in Lofer, Austrian province of Salzburg, Sunday, April 13, 2014. Palm Sunday opens the Holy Week which ends with Easter Sunday, the most important Christian holiday. (AP Photo/Kerstin Joensson)]()
14/27Residents carry traditionally hand made palms during a Palm Sunday procession in Lofer, Austrian province of Salzburg, Sunday, April 13, 2014. Palm Sunday opens the Holy Week which ends with Easter Sunday, the most important Christian holiday. (AP Photo/Kerstin Joensson)
Residents carry traditionally hand made palms during a Palm Sunday procession in Lofer, Austrian province of Salzburg, Sunday, April 13, 2014. Palm Sunday opens the Holy Week which ends with Easter Sunday, the most important Christian holiday. (AP Photo/Kerstin Joensson)![An Indian Christian girl holds a cross made of blessed palm during a Palm Sunday mass at a church in Bhubaneswar, India, Sunday, April 13, 2014. Palm Sunday's liturgy recalls Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. (AP Photo/Biswaranjan Rout)]()
15/27An Indian Christian girl holds a cross made of blessed palm during a Palm Sunday mass at a church in Bhubaneswar, India, Sunday, April 13, 2014. Palm Sunday's liturgy recalls Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. (AP Photo/Biswaranjan Rout)
An Indian Christian girl holds a cross made of blessed palm during a Palm Sunday mass at a church in Bhubaneswar, India, Sunday, April 13, 2014. Palm Sunday's liturgy recalls Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. (AP Photo/Biswaranjan Rout)![Egyptians celebrate Palm Sunday during a service in the Samaan el-Kharaz Church in the Mokattam district of Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, April 13, 2014. For Christians worldwide, Palm Sunday marks Jesus Christ's entrance into Jerusalem, when his followers laid palm branches in his path, prior to his crucifixion. (AP Photo/Roger Anis, El Shorouk) EGYPT OUT]()
16/27Egyptians celebrate Palm Sunday during a service in the Samaan el-Kharaz Church in the Mokattam district of Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, April 13, 2014. For Christians worldwide, Palm Sunday marks Jesus Christ's entrance into Jerusalem, when his followers laid palm branches in his path, prior to his crucifixion. (AP Photo/Roger Anis, El Shorouk) EGYPT OUT
Egyptians celebrate Palm Sunday during a service in the Samaan el-Kharaz Church in the Mokattam district of Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, April 13, 2014. For Christians worldwide, Palm Sunday marks Jesus Christ's entrance into Jerusalem, when his followers laid palm branches in his path, prior to his crucifixion. (AP Photo/Roger Anis, El Shorouk) EGYPT OUT![An elderly woman lights a fire in a cemetery during a Palm Sunday memorial for the departed in Herasti, southern Romania, early Sunday, April 13, 2014. Orthodox believers in the village gather at midnight, light fires at the graves and share food in memory of their dead relatives. This year the country's Orthodox majority celebrates Easter along with the Catholics on April 20.(AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)]()
17/27An elderly woman lights a fire in a cemetery during a Palm Sunday memorial for the departed in Herasti, southern Romania, early Sunday, April 13, 2014. Orthodox believers in the village gather at midnight, light fires at the graves and share food in memory of their dead relatives. This year the country's Orthodox majority celebrates Easter along with the Catholics on April 20.(AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
An elderly woman lights a fire in a cemetery during a Palm Sunday memorial for the departed in Herasti, southern Romania, early Sunday, April 13, 2014. Orthodox believers in the village gather at midnight, light fires at the graves and share food in memory of their dead relatives. This year the country's Orthodox majority celebrates Easter along with the Catholics on April 20.(AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)![A Guardia Civil takes part in 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)]()
18/27A Guardia Civil takes part in the Palm Sunday procession of the "Estudiantes" brotherhood in Oviedo
A Guardia Civil takes part in 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)REUTERS![A penitent receives a kiss before 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)]()
19/27A penitent receives a kiss before the Palm Sunday procession of the "Estudiantes" brotherhood in Oviedo
A penitent receives a kiss before 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)REUTERS![A parishioner weaves Palm fronds into a cross during Palm Sunday mass at Our Lady of Charity Church in Miami, Sunday, April 13, 2014. For Christians, Palm Sunday marks Jesus Christ's entrance into Jerusalem, when his followers laid palm branches in his path, prior to his crucifixion. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)]()
20/27A parishioner weaves Palm fronds into a cross during Palm Sunday mass at Our Lady of Charity Church in Miami, Sunday, April 13, 2014. For Christians, Palm Sunday marks Jesus Christ's entrance into Jerusalem, when his followers laid palm branches in his path, prior to his crucifixion. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)
A parishioner weaves Palm fronds into a cross during Palm Sunday mass at Our Lady of Charity Church in Miami, Sunday, April 13, 2014. For Christians, Palm Sunday marks Jesus Christ's entrance into Jerusalem, when his followers laid palm branches in his path, prior to his crucifixion. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)![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)]()
21/27Penitents place a statue of Jesus Christ on top of a float during the Palm Sunday procession of the "Estudiantes" brotherhood in Oviedo
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)REUTERS![A woman prays during a Palm Sunday procession in the San Mateo neighborhood of Mexico City, Sunday, April 13, 2014. For Christians, Palm Sunday marks Jesus Christ's entrance into Jerusalem, when his followers laid palm branches in his path, prior to his crucifixion. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)]()
22/27A woman prays during a Palm Sunday procession in the San Mateo neighborhood of Mexico City, Sunday, April 13, 2014. For Christians, Palm Sunday marks Jesus Christ's entrance into Jerusalem, when his followers laid palm branches in his path, prior to his crucifixion. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)
A woman prays during a Palm Sunday procession in the San Mateo neighborhood of Mexico City, Sunday, April 13, 2014. For Christians, Palm Sunday marks Jesus Christ's entrance into Jerusalem, when his followers laid palm branches in his path, prior to his crucifixion. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)![People hold up palm fronds during a Palm Sunday procession outside the Metropolitan Cathedral in Managua, Nicaragua, Sunday, April 13, 2014. For Christians, Palm Sunday marks Jesus Christ's entrance into Jerusalem, when his followers laid palm branches in his path, prior to his crucifixion. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)]()
23/27People hold up palm fronds during a Palm Sunday procession outside the Metropolitan Cathedral in Managua, Nicaragua, Sunday, April 13, 2014. For Christians, Palm Sunday marks Jesus Christ's entrance into Jerusalem, when his followers laid palm branches in his path, prior to his crucifixion. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)
People hold up palm fronds during a Palm Sunday procession outside the Metropolitan Cathedral in Managua, Nicaragua, Sunday, April 13, 2014. For Christians, Palm Sunday marks Jesus Christ's entrance into Jerusalem, when his followers laid palm branches in his path, prior to his crucifixion. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)![A woman holds palm fronds made into the shape of a cross during a Palm Sunday celebration outside the Metropolitan Cathedral in Managua, Nicaragua, Sunday, April 13, 2014. For Christians, Palm Sunday marks Jesus Christ's entrance into Jerusalem, when his followers laid palm branches in his path, prior to his crucifixion. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)]()
24/27A woman holds palm fronds made into the shape of a cross during a Palm Sunday celebration outside the Metropolitan Cathedral in Managua, Nicaragua, Sunday, April 13, 2014. For Christians, Palm Sunday marks Jesus Christ's entrance into Jerusalem, when his followers laid palm branches in his path, prior to his crucifixion. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)
A woman holds palm fronds made into the shape of a cross during a Palm Sunday celebration outside the Metropolitan Cathedral in Managua, Nicaragua, Sunday, April 13, 2014. For Christians, Palm Sunday marks Jesus Christ's entrance into Jerusalem, when his followers laid palm branches in his path, prior to his crucifixion. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)![A faithful holds a flag with a picture of Pope Francis as the Pope leads the Palm Sunday mass in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican April 13, 2014. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi]()
25/27A faithful holds a flag with a picture of Pope Francis as the Pope leads the Palm Sunday mass in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican
A faithful holds a flag with a picture of Pope Francis as the Pope leads the Palm Sunday mass in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican April 13, 2014. REUTERS/Alessandro BianchiReuters![Pope Francis leads the Palm Sunday mass at Saint Peter's Square in the Vatican April 13, 2014. REUTERS/Giampiero Sposito]()
26/27Pope Francis leads the Palm Sunday mass at Saint Peter's Square in the Vatican
Pope Francis leads the Palm Sunday mass at Saint Peter's Square in the Vatican April 13, 2014. REUTERS/Giampiero SpositoReuters![A woman stands by a fire she lit near a grave in the village of Copaciu, southern Romania, early Thursday, April 17, 2014. Part of a Holy Week tradition, Romanians visit, on Maundy Thursday, the graves of their loved ones, light fires and share food with community members in memory of the departed. Orthodox and Catholic worshipers celebrate Easter on on April 20.(AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru/ Mediafax) ROMANIA OUT]()
27/27A woman stands by a fire she lit near a grave in the village of Copaciu, southern Romania, early Thursday, April 17, 2014. Part of a Holy Week tradition, Romanians visit, on Maundy Thursday, the graves of their loved ones, light fires and share food with community members in memory of the departed. Orthodox and Catholic worshipers celebrate Easter on on April 20.(AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru/ Mediafax) ROMANIA OUT
A woman stands by a fire she lit near a grave in the village of Copaciu, southern Romania, early Thursday, April 17, 2014. Part of a Holy Week tradition, Romanians visit, on Maundy Thursday, the graves of their loved ones, light fires and share food with community members in memory of the departed. Orthodox and Catholic worshipers celebrate Easter on on April 20.(AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru/ Mediafax) ROMANIA OUT
Yahoo Lifestyle
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.
These pictures from around the world portray various aspects of Holy Week.
