{"id":45008,"date":"2026-03-31T06:35:58","date_gmt":"2026-03-31T10:35:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/churches-across-region-prepare-for-sacred-holy-week-observances\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T06:35:58","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T10:35:58","slug":"churches-across-region-prepare-for-sacred-holy-week-observances","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/churches-across-region-prepare-for-sacred-holy-week-observances\/","title":{"rendered":"Churches Across Region Prepare for Sacred Holy Week Observances"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774953357700.png?resize=1920%2C1080&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-45007\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774953357700.png?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774953357700.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774953357700.png?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774953357700.png?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774953357700.png?resize=1536%2C864&amp;ssl=1 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>Churches throughout the area are launching their Holy Week observances this weekend, beginning with Maundy Thursday services that honor the final meal Jesus shared with his disciples, the ceremonial foot washing, and Christ&#8217;s teaching that &#8220;A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you.&#8221; Following Thursday&#8217;s services, congregations will observe Good Friday, which honors Christ&#8217;s crucifixion. The sacred week concludes with Easter Sunday, considered the most significant celebration in the Christian faith, when believers worldwide will gather to commemorate the resurrection.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Religious congregations are beginning their Holy Week celebrations with Maundy Thursday services this weekend. The observances will continue through Good Friday and culminate with Easter Sunday, Christianity&#8217;s most significant holiday.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":45007,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[835],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-45008","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-religious"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774953357700.png?fit=1920%2C1080&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pbtNqq-bHW","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":42198,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/holy-week-begins-sunday-as-christians-mark-jesus-entry-into-jerusalem\/","url_meta":{"origin":45008,"position":0},"title":"Holy Week Begins Sunday as Christians Mark Jesus&#8217; Entry into Jerusalem","author":"Admin","date":"March 25, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Christians worldwide will begin Holy Week this Sunday with Palm Sunday observances commemorating Christ's arrival in Jerusalem. However, celebrations in Israel will be subdued due to ongoing conflict, with Jerusalem's traditional Palm Sunday procession canceled for security concerns.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Religious&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Religious","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/religious\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774435012554.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774435012554.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774435012554.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774435012554.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774435012554.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":44666,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/faithful-worldwide-observe-holy-week-through-traditional-ceremonies\/","url_meta":{"origin":45008,"position":1},"title":"Faithful Worldwide Observe Holy Week Through Traditional Ceremonies","author":"Admin","date":"March 30, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Christian communities around the globe are participating in Holy Week observances through religious processions and ceremonial reenactments. The sacred period spanning from Palm Sunday to Easter represents the most significant time in the Christian calendar as believers reflect on Christ's final days.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Religious&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Religious","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/religious\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774895828498.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774895828498.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774895828498.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774895828498.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":45620,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/christians-observe-solemn-good-friday-traditions-across-denominations\/","url_meta":{"origin":45008,"position":2},"title":"Christians Observe Solemn Good Friday Traditions Across Denominations","author":"Admin","date":"April 1, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Good Friday marks one of Christianity's most sacred observances, commemorating Jesus Christ's crucifixion with ancient liturgical practices and street processions. The day falls on April 3 for Catholics and Protestants, and April 10 for Orthodox Christians this year. Churches across denominations hold special services featuring centuries-old traditions, from cross veneration\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Religious&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Religious","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/religious\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775043678401.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775043678401.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775043678401.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775043678401.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":44044,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/new-pope-leo-xiv-begins-first-holy-week-remembering-pope-francis-final-days\/","url_meta":{"origin":45008,"position":3},"title":"New Pope Leo XIV Begins First Holy Week, Remembering Pope Francis&#8217; Final Days","author":"Admin","date":"March 29, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Pope Leo XIV kicked off his inaugural Holy Week celebration with Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Square before thousands of worshippers. The ceremony brought back memories of Pope Francis' final Easter celebration last year, just one day before he passed away from a stroke.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Religious&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Religious","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/religious\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774776996887.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774776996887.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774776996887.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774776996887.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":44127,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/hollywood-star-antonio-banderas-leads-traditional-palm-sunday-procession-in-spain\/","url_meta":{"origin":45008,"position":4},"title":"Hollywood Star Antonio Banderas Leads Traditional Palm Sunday Procession in Spain","author":"Admin","date":"March 29, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Actor Antonio Banderas participated in Palm Sunday religious processions in his Spanish hometown of Malaga, officially launching Holy Week celebrations across the country. The 65-year-old star has been taking part in these traditional Catholic ceremonies for over two decades.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Religious&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Religious","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/religious\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774802200014.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774802200014.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774802200014.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774802200014.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":44121,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/jerusalem-police-block-catholic-leaders-from-palm-sunday-service-at-holy-sepulchre\/","url_meta":{"origin":45008,"position":5},"title":"Jerusalem Police Block Catholic Leaders from Palm Sunday Service at Holy Sepulchre","author":"Admin","date":"March 29, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Israeli authorities denied Catholic Church leaders access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Palm Sunday Mass, citing safety concerns amid ongoing conflict with Iran. This marks the first time in centuries that Catholic officials have been prevented from celebrating the holy day at the sacred site. Italy has\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Religious&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Religious","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/religious\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774798608820.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774798608820.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774798608820.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1774798608820.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45008","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=45008"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45008\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/45007"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=45008"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=45008"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=45008"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}