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By Nicole Seiferth

Clouds and cold weather couldn't daunt the Palm Sunday celebration between St. Paul's Chapel and Trinity Church.

As parishioners, guests, and tourists walked into St. Paul's Chapel that morning, they were greeted with breakfast, banners, palms, and red-robed musicians of all ages. Celebration was in the air as incense slowly wafted toward the ceiling and drums began to sound here and there throughout the crowd.

"I'm expecting greatness," said one newcomer, Denise, as the Palm Sunday service began.

She has attended services at St. Paul's for several months. "I walked in one day in August when I was late for my regular service. Everyone is so happy and welcoming. You feel connected when you're here."

The crowd in St. Paul's slowly filed out of the building in a long procession full of Hosannas and waving palms. As they processed down Broadway towards Trinity Church, priests, choristers, and parishioners handed out palms to the people they passed, almost all of whom accepted them with surprised smiles and thanks. Brightly colored liturgical canopies from Ethiopia bobbed along in the procession, along with handmade posters and banners, while thurifers swinging incense talked with curious preschoolers as they walked through the crowd.

Trinity's change ringing bells could be heard over the procession's songs and drums as the crowd made its way into Trinity and the second and far more somber part of the Palm Sunday liturgy.

The Trinity Choir, only just returned from Moscow where they were performing with the Mark Morris Dance Group, sang a moving setting of the Passion according to Luke, conducted by acting music director Steven Fox.

Learn more about Holy Week services and events at Trinity Church and St. Paul's Chapel.

Nicole Seiferth is assistant editor for website and parish publications at Trinity Wall Street.

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