Today, Archbishop Dr. Samy Fawzy, Archbishop of the Alexandria Province of the Episcopal/Anglican Church, presided over the Palm Sunday service, also known as “Hosanna Sunday,” at St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral in Alexandria, in the presence of the Very Rev. David Aziz.
The service was attended by Rev. Sirag Nabil, Pastor of All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Alexandria; Rev. Daniel Kory, Pastor of the Sudanese Ministry in the Church; Rev. Elijah Ibrahim, Assistant Priest in the Sudanese Ministry; and Deacon Karim Danyan.
The service began with a procession in which the archbishop, clergy, and congregation carried palm branches, commemorating the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem on this day, when the people welcomed Him as a victorious king, shouting “Hosanna,” meaning “Save us.”
In his sermon, Archbishop Fawzy said that Jesus was heading to Jerusalem fully aware of what awaited Him there. The decision to enter Jerusalem was not a simple one, but a decisive and dangerous choice. Nevertheless, Christ entered the city to deliver a message of peace and love.
He continued that, at the beginning of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem, the disciples were filled with a mixture of joy and anticipation. Each of them imagined His coming glory differently: Peter felt that leaving behind his fishing and boats had not been in vain; Thomas was hesitant and questioning the future; James and John were waiting for positions in an imagined earthly kingdom. Meanwhile, the crowds were shouting “Hosanna,” while Christ Himself wept over the city, knowing the destruction that would come upon it due to its rejection of true peace.
He added that, despite the celebratory atmosphere and public acclaim, Jesus was fully aware that His kingdom was not of this world. The people expected an earthly savior to free them from the Romans, while others saw Him merely as a prophet or miracle worker. Amid these mixed expectations, Christ continued steadily on His path toward the Cross, knowing that the same voices that praised Him would soon cry out, “Crucify Him.”
He concluded that the scene was filled with diverse faces: those who truly loved Christ, such as Zacchaeus, Bartimaeus, Lazarus, and Mary; and those who opposed Him, including the Pharisees and the Romans. The disciples themselves were torn between joy and misunderstanding of the spiritual nature of His kingdom. As the crowds grew and He approached Jerusalem, Jesus moved forward with firm steps toward suffering, fulfilling the prophecies and proclaiming the Kingdom.