Definition

Proper noun A specific week in the Christian liturgical calendar, immediately preceding Easter Sunday. It commemorates the final period of Jesus Christ's life, including his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, his Last Supper with his disciples, his passion (suffering), crucifixion, and death.

Usage

Passion Week is used as a proper noun to refer to this specific, solemn period of religious observance. It is often capitalized.

Examples

• The church holds special services each day during Passion Week.
• In many Christian traditions, Passion Week begins with Palm Sunday.
• The readings and hymns for Passion Week focus on the events leading to the crucifixion.

Advanced Usage

• "Observe Passion Week": To participate in the religious ceremonies and reflections of this week.
  • The community gathers to observe Passion Week with prayer and fasting.
• "Throughout Passion Week": Denoting something that occurs during the entire duration of this week.
  • The cathedral remains open for prayer throughout Passion Week.

Variants and Related Words

• Holy Week: A more common synonym for . The terms are often used interchangeably, though some traditions make subtle distinctions, with being the more universally recognized term.
• Palm Sunday: The Sunday that marks the start of .
• Maundy Thursday: The Thursday of , commemorating the Last Supper.
• Good Friday: The Friday of , commemorating the crucifixion.

Synonyms

• Holy Week

Notes on Meaning

While Passion Week is widely understood to be synonymous with Holy Week, in some older or more specific liturgical contexts, Passion Week was sometimes distinguished as the week following the fifth Sunday of Lent (Passion Sunday), which is the second week before Easter. However, in contemporary common usage, it is almost universally equated with Holy Week, the week immediately before Easter. The word "passion" in this context derives from the Latin passio, meaning "suffering."

Noun

1. the week before Easter