It began yesterday with Palm Sunday that recognizes Jesus triumphal entry to Jerusalem leading up to His Resurrection this Sunday.

It is observed in many Christian churches as a time to commemorate and enact the suffering and death of Jesus through various observances and services.

Samoa is no exception and at many churches yesterday, children and youth groups, old and young were seen acting Jesus’ final entry to Jerusalem while waving palm branches during morning services with shouts of “Hosanna!” 

At the Congregational Christian Church at Nofoali’i, their Sunday School echoed ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord’ while heading inside the chapel with praises and choral voices announcing the arrival of Jesus.

A father-of-two from Faleasi’u, Fesola’i Paulo told the Samoa Observer that helping the children to understand the meaning of this season, is a must.

“Raising our kids to follow Jesus Christ must come first from us; the parents,” he said.

“For parents are the first teachers.

“As a father, it is such a blessing to have the opportunity to raise my children and take them to Sunday School for them to grow in wisdom and learn God's word.

“I’m happy to see them carrying their palms to church this morning knowing that they have to commemorate what Jesus did for everyone on the cross.

He went on to say that “As parents we must also understand that when we raise our children, they must see us consistently putting Christ first in everything we do.

“Not only that, but to pass on a spiritual heritage that your kids can pass on to their kids, for Jesus is the only one that died to save us from our sins.

“We all know the end of the story; He is the only Way, Truth and Life. “What is important for us to remember is what happened and why, and it's our sin that put him on the cross.”

At the village of Leauva’a, young and old were seen and heard walking from the other side of the village towards the chapel while singing in remembrance of Jesus entry to Jerusalem.