Unlike world leaders, our Lord Jesus Christ showed us that his purpose was peace by riding a donkey, in fulfillment of the prophecy "Say to the Daughter of Zion, 'See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey," Zechariah 9.9.

The word "Hosanna" comes from the New Testament when, at the last Passover, Jesus entered Jerusalem as the coming King, riding on a donkey's colt. The biblical encyclopedias indicate that "Hosanna" is an Aramaic coined word for the Hebrew is hosahanna.

"A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" Matt 21.8-9 (See also: Mark 11.9, and John 12.13).

"Hosanna," "Hosanna to the Son of David," "Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord," "Blessed is the King," "Hosanna in the highest." are repeated in the same context in all the Gospels.

Combined altogether, the meaning of Hosanna equals 'Praise God and his Messiah, we are saved' in the sense as it appears in Psalm 118.25-26, and very closely resembles in thought the word hallelujah. The word Hosanna is an acclaim of praise and confidence and expectancy.

Nowadays the term Hosanna in the Church liturgy carries the same meaning. The messianic exhortation and declaration of praise "ሆሳእና በኣርያም - Hosanna Be’Ariam" in Geez language or Hosanna in the highest is a song of praise, homage, supplication, and joy, recognizing Jesus Christ's' messianic kingdom. The chant of Hosanna in the Church Liturgy continues to be a chant of praise and honor. Today, during the Divine Liturgy, we say," Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts, heaven and earth are full of your glory", joining with the "…Great multitude that no-one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb, wearing white robes, holding palm branches in their hands." Revelation 7.9.

Hosanna day is the event we celebrate, that is the last week of the Lord's earthly ministry. Hosanna day is the Sunday before Easter and it is the beginning of the passion week. On this day we, Christians, observe the Triumphal Entry of our Lord Jesus Christ into the city of Jerusalem.

Praise God and His Messiah that we are saved.

Dn. Okbe Zemede,

Posted on March 2003