Local services
For the Christian world, Palm Sunday is a special biblical holiday. For us, the people of Debrecen, it is also an ethnographic day, which for more than ten years has been presenting Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem in a comprehensive artistic form, accompanied by the “willow branch” consecration and ecumenical liturgy. A press conference was held at the Svetits Catholic Kindergarten, Elementary School, Grammar School and Dormitory on the 2nd of April, 2025, to discuss the details of this year’s Palm Sunday programme series.
Director of the Svetits Catholic Grammar School, Sára M. Geröly emphasised that it is very important to give children values that will sustain them in life and that educating them on the Way of the Cross is one of the steps to this, so she encouraged everyone to participate in the city Way of the Cross.
Mayor László Papp highlighted that this year we will be going on the Palm Sunday Way of the Cross for the ninth time next Sunday. As he said, “The procession will start in front of the Great Church, as in previous years. After the morning ceremonies, leaving the walls of the church, in the afternoon, in the spirit of ecumenism, the denominations can go hand in hand on this wonderful Way of the Cross, which, although rooted in the very, very past in terms of religious and church traditions, is still a slightly special occasion in city life. The idea of the city Way of the Cross will be ten years old next year, and I am very proud that Debrecen is the city that, in this very fast-changing world, where we often feel a little distant from God, can show how much power faith, religion, the love of God, and the resurrection of Jesus have for all of us,” he said. He noted that the Way of the Cross on Palm Sunday each year has a central idea that they turn towards. In previous years, family, nation, and peace were the focus, but this year the attention is turned towards young people. “We look forward to welcoming as many young people as possible to this ecumenical gathering on the 13th of April, where we can prepare together in spirit for the greatness of Easter, the resurrection of Jesus, by walking through the city centre, through the stations, and preparing for Easter together,” the City Leader concluded.
Bishop of Tiszántúli Reformed Church District, Károly Fekete said that the Way of the Cross is important not only from an ecumenical perspective, as the man of the 21st century and the world of the 21st century are also on the Way of the Cross. “It would be good if this Stations of the Cross in Debrecen characterized our world, and not the warlike and fist-shaking Stations of the Cross full of emotions, in which there is mockery, not just irony, there are tears, but not tears of joy, but tears of illness, mourning, sadness. And it would be good if those prayers that were once uttered and became a biblical story, that we will also revive, those prayers were not prayers of worry, but prayers of thanksgiving, which rise because a person feels his own redemption, salvation, the joyful unfolding of the world and not the many miseries that we carry,” he underlined. The bishop also spoke about the fact that the Way of the Cross in Debrecen should be an example of peace, attentive to each other, and that the songs should convey the pure voice and pure message that permeates our city and this world through our city.
Archbishop-Metropolitan of the Archdiocese of Hajdúdorog, Fülöp Kocsis emphasised, “ The introductory information that this year’s Way of the Cross is mainly aimed at young people. I would like the call to action to reach as many people as possible.” The Archbishop-Metropolitan reminded us that Christ suffered for us because he loves us. Fülöp Kocsis added,”The church not only explains, not only teaches, but also involves us. It helps us to experience these events. The mystery plays, liturgy, rites, and rituals in the church always serve to get people involved as much as possible, to become a part of the events. That is why this beautiful series of events was launched in Debrecen and now the whole city will become a huge church garden. Fülöp Kocsis put it this way, “The Way of the Cross is not to alleviate the suffering of Christ, but to help us understand the incomprehensible as much as possible. That is why it is important that as many of us as possible set out, take these steps, and in this way we can get closer to Christ, to the love with which God loves us.”
Vicar General of the Diocese of Debrecen-Nyíregyháza, Zoltán Krakomperger highlighted that we want to get to know, love and put into practice the virtues that Christ demonstrated during the historical Way of the Cross. He said that the cross does not want to crush us, as a symbol of our burdens, trials and sufferings, but rather the cross wants to lift us up into the ineffably happy community of the entire Holy Trinity, God. The contemplative Way of the Cross provides this opportunity, and we can gain personal experience from it. He added that words have the effectiveness of motivating us to action, but the personal example that captivates us. This applies from the adults participating in the Way of the Cross to the youth and children as well. It is important for adults to make them aware that by participating in the Way of the Cross, they are passing on a treasure to those who grow up alongside us.
The main organiser of the event, Edit Bódor expressed her gratitude to all the co-organisers who joined the programme. In her speech, she said that the Way of the Cross on Palm Sunday will include six stations: Kossuth Square, Dósa Nádor Square, the Old Town Hall, “Trunken” Church, Csokonai Theatre and St. Anne’s Cathedral. “At these locations, thoughts related to the Way of the Cross will be read out by representatives of the churches, and in addition, artistic productions will be presented that we have put together with artists living in our city,” the main organiser pointed out. I am pleased that such performers and art groups as the Great Church’s “Útravaló” praise band, “pendelyes” dancers, folk dancers, military bands and artists from the Csokonai National Theatre will also participate in this special event, who will perform excerpts from Jesus Christ Superstar. Edit Bódor highlighted that new programme elements are also being prepared to strengthen preparations for Easter. These include cinema visits for disadvantaged children and families, where those interested can watch Easter-related films.
Programmes:
3.00 p.m.“Willow branch” and commemoration of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem in front of the Reformed Church of Debrecen
Participants in the Palm Sunday celebration are: Debrecen Garrison Orchestra, Kuckó Art Farm, Martin Brass Ensemble, Főnix Children’s and Youth Folk Dance Ensemble, Forgórózsa Dance Ensemble, Debrecen Hajdú Dance Ensemble, Hortobágy Folk Dance Ensemble, Debrecen Folk Ensemble and the Sol Oriens Choir.
3.30 p.m. City Way of the Cross
The city Way of the Cross, led by the bishops of the historical churches, starts from the Great Church to the St. Anne’s Cathedral touching the following stations:
Kossuth Square (phoenix fountain) – Statue of St. Stephen (Dósa nádor Square) – Old Town Hall – “Trunken” Church – Csokonai Theatre – St. Anne’s Cathedral
The actors of the Csokonai National Theatre will serve with their art.
6.00 p.m. Musical service – Dominica Palmarum with the participation of the Debrecen Garrison Orchestra in the Debrecen Reformed Church.
Preacher: Szilárd Sajtos,Lieutenant Colonel, Senior Field Chaplain
Conductor: Major István Pál, Conductor
The stations of the cross are adopted by the following churches:
Debrecen Baptist Church – Debrecen Evangelical Parish – Debrecen-Nyíregyháza Diocese – Debrecen Holy Trinity Hungarian Orthodox Parish – Hajdúdorog Archdiocese – Tiszántúli Reformed Church District
Debrecen Baptist Church – Debrecen Evangelical Parish – Debrecen-Nyíregyháza Diocese – Debrecen Holy Trinity Hungarian Orthodox Parish – Hajdúdorog Archdiocese – Tiszántúli Reformed Church District
The following will be contributing to the Palm Sunday Way of the Cross with their services:
• Károly Fekete, Bishop of the Tiszántúli Reformed Church District
• Archbishop-Metropolitan Fülöp Kocsis, Hajdúdorog Archdiocese
• Diocesan Bishop Ferenc Palánki, Diocese of Debrecen-Nyíregyháza
• Richárd Asztalos, Director Pastor, Debrecen Evangelical Parish
• Pastor János Kiss, Debrecen Baptist Church
• Zoltán Krakomperger, Vicar General, Debrecen-Nyíregyháza Diocese
• Barnabás Sipos, Parish Priest, Debrecen Holy Trinity Hungarian Orthodox Parish
• Pastor Gergely Szarka, Debrecen Greek Catholic Parish
• Pastor Tibor Zsoldos, Debrecen Kistemplomi-Ispotályi Reformed Parish
Source and photo credit:debrecen.hu
