Holy Monday

Holy Monday or Great and Holy Monday (Greek: Μεγάλη Δευτέρα, Megale Deutera) is the Monday of Holy Week, which is the week before Easter. Death and Resurrection of Jesus. It is the third day of Holy Week in Eastern Christianity, after Lazarus Saturday and Palm Sunday, and the second day of Holy Week in Western Christianity, after Palm Sunday.

Biblical narrative

The Gospels tell us of some of the events that actually occurred on the day of the Biblical Holy Monday. Some of the most notable and recognizable of these were the cursing of the fig tree (Matthew 21:18-22,Mark 11:20-26), the questioning of Jesus' authority (Matthew 21:23-27), the Cleansing of the Temple and some diverse parables, depending on which Gospel is read.

Western Christianity

In the Roman Catholic Church, the Gospel lesson at Mass is John 12:1-9, which chronologically occurred before the Entry into Jerusalem described in John 12:12-19. Other readings used are Isaiah 42:1-7 and Psalm 27:1-3, 13-14.

Few Protestant churches have special services for Holy Monday. Those that do, may follow the general pattern of the Roman Catholic observance.