All my dearly Church Family Members in Christ,

Today is Palm Sunday. We all sing Hosanna and joining the people who have been saved by the Blood of Christ and God’s wonderful Grace.
The word “ Hosanna “ is the abbreviation of two Hebrew words. HOS means SAVE, NA means NOW.
Our chanting Hosanna is the prayer of the people from Psalms 118: 25-26 says “ O Lord, save us now; O Lord prosper us now. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.”

The Holy Gospel reading on Palm Sunday is from St. John 12: 12-19, for Procession from St. Luke 19: 28-44 and for Blessing of Palms from St. Mark 11:1-11. All these readings teaches The TRIUMPHANT ENTRY OF JESUS.

St. John 12: 12-15 says “ The next day, when the large crowd that had come to the festival heard Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, the took Palm branches and went out to meet Him. They kept shouting: Hosanna, Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord; the King of Israel” Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as is written: ‘ Fear no more, Daughter of Zion; look, your King is coming , sitting on a donkey’s colt.” ( ref. Prophesy of Isaiah 62:11 and Prophesy of Zechariah 9: 9)

Today, the Palm Sunday and Palm branches are symbolic of rejoicing and triumph. Leviticus 23: 40 says: “ During festival of Trumpets, on the 1st day, collect Palm branches.” and Revelation 7: 9 says the vision of St. John, “ I saw every nation, and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white and held Palm Branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a mighty shout, Salvation fro our God on the Throne and from the Lamb.”

Remember, Today we sing Hosanna and joining the people around us in this very difficult situation. May our Hosanna prayers encourage and comfort them.

May I conclude this message with the prayer: O Lord save us now; O Lord prosper us now. Our cry today is for Relief at this present critical situation and for God’ ever loving mercy and healing. May God help us to take necessity steps for our onward journey. Remember, when our tears mingle with those of Christ, His Holiness washes our tears.
May God bless us all .



With prayers,
V. Rev. Dr. Varughese Plamthottathil Cor Episcopos
Vicar and President of St. Baselios Orthodox Church, New York, U.S.A.