Ukrainian Catholic ChurchAustralia, New Zealand and Oceania
Palm Sunday in the Cathedral
March 25, 2024
On Sunday, March 24, Bishop Mykola Bychok, Eparch of Melbourne, helded the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral Church of Sts. Peter and Paul in Melbourne.
The faithful from Melbourne and the surrounding area came to the Cathedral to celebrate the Feast of the Entrance of Christ into Jerusalem with a joint prayer. Bishop Mykola entered the church accompanied by a solemn procession of clergy and faithful, and children carrying palm branches.
“Today we all came to the church to meet Christ, who constantly enters our lives so that we are not alone, so that we walk through this life together with the Lord, who always gives a helping hand,” the Bishop began his homily. Reflecting on the Resurrection of Lazarus and comparing Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem with Pontius Pilate’s entry into Jerusalem, Bishop Mykola explained to the audience why these events were so important to the Jewish people at that time and how they could be perceived by each of the participants in those events.
“Throughout his life, the paths of Jesus Christ led him to Jerusalem, for it was in Jerusalem that his mission, the redemption of the human race, was to be fulfilled. Although Jesus had repeatedly told his disciples that he was going to be crucified and die, many of his surroundings did not understand these words. At that time, many people came to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover, just as we have come to the church today. And just as many people did not understand why people came to greet Jesus, so many people today do not understand why you have come to church. But you came to this church because it means something to you. Back then in Jerusalem, people knew that Jesus Christ was God and shouted ‘Hosanna!’ to Christ, which means ‘please save us, help us.’ And now, when we pray, we also beg the Lord to be in our lives, to save not only our lives but to grant us eternal life with Him in the Kingdom of Heaven,” said Bishop Mykola.
At the end of the Divine Liturgy, the Bishop blessed the willow branches prepared by the parishioners of the Cathedral the day before. Then all those present had the opportunity to take home the blessed branches, which are a symbol of opening our homes to Christ, so that the Lord may enter not only Jerusalem but also each of us.
