Explained: The eight Days of Easter's Holy Week

An estimated 40 million people in Kenya- about 85 per cent of the population- identify as Christians, according to the last census report.

This Easter, they join believers around the world in marking the Holy Week, which culminates in Easter Sunday on April 20.

The events of the Holy Week are recorded in all four Gospels of the Bible’s New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These accounts guide the way modern-day Christians go about Easter.

So, what are some of the key days marked? Why is it important to commemorate these days?

Day 1: Palm Sunday

Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, commemorating Jesus’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey, fulfilling the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9.

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion... thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass.”

Crowds welcomed him with palm branches, shouting “Hosanna.” Last Sunday, April 13, Christians lined the streets in similar fashion, reenacting the scene.

Day 2: Holy Monday

This is the day Jesus cursed a fig tree and caused it to dry up for being leafy but without any fruits, sometimes likened to professing Christian faith with nothing to show for it.

He overturned tables and rebuked the money changers. Some accounts also describe Mary, sister to Lazarus, anointing Jesus’s feet—though the timing varies across Gospel narratives.

Day 3: Holy Tuesday

Jesus returned to the temple, where tensions with religious leaders intensified. Despite this, he delivered key parables, the Two Sons, the Wicked Tenants, and the Wedding Feast.

It’s believed he also gave his Olivet Discourse, teaching about the Church’s future and leading crowds in prayer. This is when he taught the Lord’s Prayer.

Day 4: Spy Wednesday

Some sources prefer to refer to the day as Holy Wednesday while others use Good Wednesday.

Judas Iscariot met the chief priests on this day and agreed to a plot to arrest Jesus without direct confrontations which the religious leaders were keen to avoid.

Thirty pieces of silver is all it took to turn the disciple of Christ into a spy who from then kept looking for ways of getting Jesus to the authorities.

Day 5: Maundy Thursday

Also called Holy Thursday, this solemn day marks the Last Supper. Jesus shared bread and wine with his disciples, instituting the ritual now known as Communion.

“This is my body given for you... This cup is the new covenant in my blood.”

He washed the disciples’ feet as an act of humility and predicted his betrayal. The evening ended in prayer at the Garden of Gethsemane.

Day 6: Good Friday

Usually kept solemn to remember the death of Jesus Christ.

Judas Iscariot succeeded in betraying Jesus and left him to the Roman Soldiers ahead of his trial for blasphemy before Pontius Pilate.

Here, the angry crowd chose prisoner Barabbas over Jesus, who was led to Golgotha for crucifixion; he died and was buried.

Day 7: Holy Saturday

The day passed rather quietly compared to the rest of the days, with no major activities recorded according to the official accounts of the events of this period.

Followers of Jesus likely spent the day in mourning as his body lay in a heavily guarded tomb.

It is not uncommon to hear some Christians refer to the day as Easter Eve, or Great Sabbath, and Saturday of Holy Week.

Day 8: Easter Sunday

The week ends with a joyful celebration as Jesus rises from the dead.

Mary Magdalene and other women chanced upon an empty tomb before Jesus made appearances to different groups, including Thomas, who had doubted initial reports of his resurrection.

Easter presents opportunities for Christians to be intimate with God.