Holy Week
noun
: the week before Easter during which the last days of Christ's life are commemorated
Examples of Holy Week in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Every easter, Antigua’s Holy Week processions are the most mesmerizing on earth (outside of perhaps Seville, Spain's).
—
Claire Boobbyer, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Apr. 2024
The Pope has been leading Holy Week liturgies, presiding over five since Thursday, including an Easter Vigil in St. Peter’s Basilica on Saturday which lasted more than two hours.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN, 31 Mar. 2024
Surrounded by the splendor of the Vatican and 35,000 blooms supplied by Dutch florists, Francis appeared steady if occasionally labored while speaking, after skipping or reducing his participation in several events during Holy Week leading up to Easter.
—Anthony Faiola, Washington Post, 31 Mar. 2024
The continuation of Holy Week masses will commence at the Cathedral of Saint Mary in Little River, which is the Mother Church of the Catholic Archdiocese of Miami.
—Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2024
Easter marks the last day of the Holy Week, which consists of several days that each carry their own significance.
—USA TODAY, 30 Mar. 2024
During that first Holy Week, He was arrested, unjustly tried, humiliated, beaten unmercifully and lastly, crucified between two thieves.
—Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2024
This Sunday, Christians around the world will celebrate the peace and renewal promised by Easter, but at the heart of Holy Week liturgies leading up to the feast are a set of texts that have had brutal consequences for Jews, not just in the past, but in the present.
—James Carroll, The New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2024
The service marked the beginning of Holy Week, the most sacred week in the church’s calendar as Christians around the world prepare to celebrate Easter, and his decision to skip the homily, or reflection, was a surprise.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN, 28 Mar. 2024
Claire Boobbyer, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Apr. 2024
The Pope has been leading Holy Week liturgies, presiding over five since Thursday, including an Easter Vigil in St. Peter’s Basilica on Saturday which lasted more than two hours.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN, 31 Mar. 2024
Surrounded by the splendor of the Vatican and 35,000 blooms supplied by Dutch florists, Francis appeared steady if occasionally labored while speaking, after skipping or reducing his participation in several events during Holy Week leading up to Easter.
—Anthony Faiola, Washington Post, 31 Mar. 2024
The continuation of Holy Week masses will commence at the Cathedral of Saint Mary in Little River, which is the Mother Church of the Catholic Archdiocese of Miami.
—Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2024
Easter marks the last day of the Holy Week, which consists of several days that each carry their own significance.
—USA TODAY, 30 Mar. 2024
During that first Holy Week, He was arrested, unjustly tried, humiliated, beaten unmercifully and lastly, crucified between two thieves.
—Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2024
This Sunday, Christians around the world will celebrate the peace and renewal promised by Easter, but at the heart of Holy Week liturgies leading up to the feast are a set of texts that have had brutal consequences for Jews, not just in the past, but in the present.
—James Carroll, The New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2024
The service marked the beginning of Holy Week, the most sacred week in the church’s calendar as Christians around the world prepare to celebrate Easter, and his decision to skip the homily, or reflection, was a surprise.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN, 28 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Holy Week.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1710, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near Holy Week
Cite this Entry
“Holy Week.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Holy%20Week. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
Holy Week
noun
: the week before Easter
More from Merriam-Webster on Holy Week
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Holy Week
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