Local services
On April 13, 2025, Debrecen commemorated Palm Sunday, the events of the Holy Week that followed, and the story of Christ’s suffering, with an ecumenical Way of the Cross, together with its Christian communities, art groups and the city’s residents.
Mayor László Papp greeted the celebrants before the Reformed Church of Debrecen. As he put it, “Debrecen is not only a special city, but also a community living together. We, all of us here, are the continuers of a thousand-year-old tradition. After all, in the first and second centuries, they commemorated Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem by waving palm branches, catkins, and tree branches. In homage to the divine and human greatness, taking on what was to come, all that difficulty and humiliation, yet proudly entered Jerusalem, giving faith to the people. I believe this can be an example in our lives that we must accept difficulties because we know we are serving the good,” he emphasised. The Mayor expressed his joy that during the ecumenical occasion, they can experience the beauty of Palm Sunday together, prepare for Easter together, and walk through the six stations.
Following the prayer of the Archbishop-Metropolitan of the Archdiocese of Hajdúdorog, Fülöp Kocsis, the Chief Pastoral Clerk of the Reformed Church District of Tiszántúl, Pál Ferenczi based his thoughts on a biblical quote, in which he said among other things,“ On this Palm Sunday, we also announce that Jesus did not come to his people only 2000 years ago, but that he has been coming ever since, and that he comes to all those who are ready to wait for and receive him.”
In the words of the Diocesan Bishop of the Diocese of Debrecen-Nyíregyháza, Ferenc Palánki, “Today here in Debrecen, we too, as Christians do all over the world, follow in the footsteps of Jesus by walking the Way of the Cross.” After his speech, the bishop called those present to a joint prayer.
After all this, the blessed catkins were distributed among those present by folk dancers.
The Way of the Cross proceeded from the Great Church, touching the following stations: Kossuth Square, St. Stephen’s Statue, Old Town Hall, Reformed Church, Csokonai Theatre, and St. Anne’s Cathedral.
The programme that interweaves the Way of the Cross was attended by members of Kuckó Art School, the students of Saint László Greek Catholic Grammar School and Technical School, Svetits Catholic Primary School and Grammar School and Dormitory, Debrecen Ady Endre Grammar School, the members of Debrecen Garrison Orchestra, Főnix Children’s and Youth Folk Dance Ensemble, Debrecen Hajdú Dance Ensemble, Hortobágy Folk Dance Ensemble, Debrecen Folk Ensemble, Forgórózsa Dance Ensemble; Pendely Singing Ensemble-Family, Martin Brass Ensemble, Sol Oriens Choir and the Csokonai National Theatre Debrecen.
To close the celebration, a musical service entitled Dominica Palmarum awaited the audience in the Great Church, with the participation of the Debrecen Garrison Orchestra.
Source and photo credit: debrecen.hu
