Archbishop Dr. Samy Fawzy, Archbishop of the Province of Alexandria of the Episcopal Church, presided over the Palm Sunday service this morning at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in the city of Menouf.
The service began with the procession of palms, where the bishop, priests, and congregation carried palm branches, commemorating Jesus Christ’s entry into Jerusalem on this day, when the people welcomed Him as a victorious king, shouting “Hosanna,” meaning “Save us!”
In his sermon, the Archbishop said:
“Jesus was heading to Jerusalem fully aware of what awaited Him there. His decision to enter Jerusalem was not simple—it was a decisive and dangerous choice. Yet, Christ entered Jerusalem to deliver a message of peace and love.”
He continued:
“At the start of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem, the disciples experienced a mix of joy and anticipation. Each imagined His coming glory in a different way: Peter felt his sacrifice in leaving behind fishing and boats was not in vain; Thomas was hesitant and unsure about the future; James and John hoped for positions in an earthly kingdom they envisioned. Meanwhile, the crowds were shouting ‘Hosanna!’ and Christ Himself was weeping over the city, knowing the destruction that would come because it rejected true peace.”
He added:
“In this grand procession, despite the cheers and festive display, Jesus was aware that His kingdom is not of this world. The people expected a worldly savior to free them from Roman rule; some saw Him merely as a prophet or miracle worker. Amid these mixed expectations, Christ continued His path toward the cross with astonishing resolve, knowing that the same voices praising Him today would cry ‘Crucify Him’ tomorrow.”
He concluded:
“The scene was filled with many faces: those who truly loved Jesus—like Zacchaeus, Bartimaeus, Lazarus, and Mary—and those who hated Him, such as the Pharisees and Romans. Even the disciples were caught between joy and a misunderstanding of His spiritual kingdom. As the crowds swelled and Jesus approached Jerusalem, He pressed forward resolutely toward suffering, fulfilling the prophecies and proclaiming His Kingdom.”
