On April 5, 2026, Orthodox Christians celebrate Palm Sunday, which is celebrated a week before Easter. A Divine Mass was held in St. Isaac’s Cathedral with the participation of children, after which a religious procession was held around the building.
It is noteworthy that the service was presided over by Metropolitan Barsanuphius of St. Petersburg and Ladoga, and the clergy of the cathedral and the diocese participated in its service.
It was also explained that students of Orthodox gymnasiums and Sunday schools participated in the event, according to reports.Petersburg memoirsยป.
On the eve of Palm Sunday, willow branch sellers traditionally appear in the streets. However, such trading is not always legal and in some cases may lead to liability. Experts warned of potential legal risks. As explained by lawyer Lyudmila Ayvar, cutting branches without permission can be considered a violation of environmental legislation. Depending on the situation, this may entail administrative liability (under Article 8.25 or 8.28 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation) and, in the event of significant damage, criminal liability (under Article 260 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).