New Yorkers gathered at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and other churches across the city Sunday to mark Palm Sunday, the start of Holy Week.

The holiday commemorates the arrival of Jesus into Jerusalem. The palm, handed out to congregants during services, symbolizes victory, triumph, peace and eternal life. The earliest recorded Palm Sunday celebration dates back to the 4th century.

“This is the best church in New York City, so it’s a really good time to be here,” said Lawrence Stayton, a worshipper at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

At the cathedral’s first Mass of the day at 7 a.m., worshippers offered their prayers for the year.

“Peace. We need peace in this world, don’t we?” said Audrey Garr, a regular at St. Patrick’s.

“We always pray for peace, there’s plenty of that that needs to be spread

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