Q 01/05

Which day marks the beginning of Holy Week?

A) Palm Sunday

B) Ash Wednesday

C) Maundy Thursday

D) Shrove Tuesday

Answer · why

A) Palm Sunday

It commemorates the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, described in all four canonical gospels, with crowds waving branches.

Q 02/05

According to the Gospels, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on which animal?

A) A horse

B) A donkey

C) A camel

D) A mule

Answer · why

B) A donkey

In Eastern tradition it was an animal of peace, unlike the horse of war; Matthew ties it to a prophecy in Zechariah.

Q 03/05

Palms from the first day of Holy Week are burned to make ashes that open which season the next year?

A) Advent

B) Eastertide

C) Lent

D) Pentecost

Answer · why

C) Lent

Churches put out a basket in the narthex during Shrovetide, and the palms are burned on Shrove Tuesday.

Q 04/05

In Russia, Ukraine and Poland, which plant stands in for palm fronds on Palm Sunday?

A) Hollyhock

B) Laurel

C) Rosemary

D) Pussy willow

Answer · why

D) Pussy willow

Palms simply do not grow that far north, so box-tree twigs are also used.

Q 05/05

Holy Tuesday is sometimes nicknamed after which fruit, from a tree Jesus passed near Bethany?

A) Fig

B) Olive

C) Pomegranate

D) Date

Answer · why

A) Fig

The barren tree became a teaching example for the disciples in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark.