Debrecen4U March 27, 2026

10th Anniversary Palm Sunday Stations of the Cross with Prayer, Poetry, and Music

In Debrecen, Christian denominations together with the city community commemorate Palm Sunday and the events of Holy Week in an ecumenical spirit, in a way unique within Hungary. The anniversary event was presented at a press conference held on 27 March 2026 at the Greek Catholic Tourism Visitor Centre.

Mayor László Papp highlighted that in the 21st century the strength of faith, religion, and religious communities remains very much alive in the city. Looking back over the past decade and a half, he noted that these communities have grown stronger. He emphasised that both the municipality and the state support religious organisations, whose long-term survival also contributes to the preservation of the Hungarian nation. As a result, churches in the city have undergone significant development in recent years.

He described Debrecen as a special place where faith, tradition, and community continue to act as a living, organising force. Approaching Easter—the most important celebration of Christianity—large crowds gather each year on Palm Sunday for the city’s Stations of the Cross, which also symbolises cooperation between Christian denominations.

Károly Fekete, Bishop of the Trans-Tisza Reformed Church District, recalled Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. He explained that the word “Hosanna” originally meant a cry for help—“Save us!”—and only later became an expression of praise. He stressed that Christ is the Prince of Peace and called for Him to enter our lives and bring the inner peace so greatly needed in today’s world.

Zoltán Krakomperger, Vicar General of the Diocese of Debrecen–Nyíregyháza, reminded those present that praying the Stations of the Cross—whether on the Fridays of Lent in our churches, outdoors, or at any other location—always offers believers the opportunity to immerse themselves ever more deeply in the enduring love of the Son of God. He highlighted that during the upcoming Palm Sunday Stations of the Cross, this deepening will take on an ecumenical character, for which we can give thanks to our heavenly Father. He emphasized that thanks to the careful and thorough preparation by the organizers and the broad participation, all of us can freely embrace the idea that God’s love can become the true substance of our lives.

Miklós Sivadó, parish priest of the Greek Catholic Parish of Debrecen, emphasised that Jesus is present among us even when unseen in daily life, and that participants may encounter Him during the Sunday procession. He drew a parallel between past and present: while Christ’s crucifixion was public, the Resurrection took place in silence—mirroring our own spiritual journey. He encouraged all to attend with open hearts, noting that through Christ’s sacrifice, redemption and the removal of sin, fear, and suffering are offered as the greatest gift.

Lieutenant Colonel Szilárd Sajtos, senior Reformed military chaplain of the Protestant Military Chaplaincy Service of the Ministry of Defence, said that it is easy to speak about this year’s message of Dominica Palmarum, as it has not changed in the past 15–16 years. The aim from the very beginning was to create an event—a worship service in the spring season—where soldiers, even if they are not at home because of duty, can still connect with one another, with military families, and with the city through music, harmony, the words of Scripture, and the message of God’s Word. Many of them may not have been born here, but they spend a significant part of their lives in this city, and together with their families, Debrecen has become their home. “The message of this service is to meet one another. The Palm Sunday begins with Jesus approaching Jerusalem. At this year’s Palm Sunday service, we too will try to draw near. As God draws near to us, we will draw near to one another, and—through the Word and through music—hopefully to the Lord Himself,” he said.

Edit Bódor, mayoral adviser responsible for church and cross‑border relations, explained that when Advent events were first taken outside the walls of the churches, she and several pastors, together with the city’s cultural organizers, began to consider whether church holidays could also be carried into the city’s public events. Thus, in 2012, a beautiful folk‑art and folk‑dance performance was already linked to Palm Sunday. In 2016, the idea emerged of developing this initiative—together with the denominations—into a citywide Stations of the Cross conveying the message of Easter. The first such event finally became a reality in 2017. Many people have been part of it from the very beginning, and the event has grown close to their hearts; it has become part of them.

She emphasized that with its ten‑year history and this level of cooperation, the event is unique in Hungary. Folk ensembles, folk dancers, performing artists, and other programs conveying the message of the Gospel have accompanied this journey. For the organizers, it has always been a challenge to bring together artistic performances that support quiet reflection and spiritual deepening. This will be no different this year, with prayer for families at the center.

However, the expected unfavorable, windy weather conditions have altered the original plans. The folk dancers will perform outdoors in front of the Reformed Great Church, but the Stations of the Cross itself will take place inside the church. As a result, the participants will not walk through the stations; instead, those representing each station will process before the congregation, who will also find small booklets in the church to guide their spiritual reflection.

The artistic groups and performers have once again joined the event with great enthusiasm, including many primary‑ and secondary‑school‑aged young people. Among the artists and contributors, she mentioned by name Katalin Benedekffy, Kinga Újhelyi, Hunor Pál—artists of the Csokonai National Theatre—along with the Lautitia Choir Family, the Dalárda ensemble, the Galilea Worship Team, and nearly 300 students from Saint Joseph High School.

She also conveyed the thoughts of Barnabás Balogh, the first president of the Debrecen Charity Board, for whom the past ten years held deep personal significance: “Ten years ago, we released the Palm Sunday and Holy Week preparations from the stone walls of the churches into the Memorial Garden, into the back courtyard. This year, we live in a time of thanksgiving. The cross lying on the ground points in four directions: backward and forward, and to both sides. With gratitude we look back, with confidence we look to the future, and to the right and left we proclaim: the greeting has not changed—Jesus has risen, His tomb is empty. When we set out with the cross, let it point upward, to the Lord to whom alone belongs the glory,” she concluded.

She added that the Debrecen Charity Board will distribute blessed willow branches and flower seeds to participants.

The detailed programme for Palm Sunday can be found here: Detailed programme

Source and photo credit: debrecen.hu