PHOTOS: Palm Sunday then and now

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Palm Sunday is a celebration by multiple Christian denominations, which commemorates Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem atop a donkey, where he was greeted by crowds laying down palm branches in homage.

Traditionally, this is celebrated with the distribution of palm leaves to church-goers, but that was halted this year due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Here we look back at some pictures published from Palm Sunday over the years as well as a look at their current state.

Rob Sollett

Peter Tartamella sits atop a horse led by his mother Carol as the Procession leaves St. Joseph R.C. Church on March 31, 1996. (Advance file photo)

Rob Sollett

The Palm Sunday Procession makes it way to St. Thomas Church on March 31, 1996. (Advance file photo)

Hilton Flores

Geoffrey Bonal is riding 'Montego Bay' with the help of Rosemarie Gierman as they go up Rossville Avenue. It is the Annual Palm Sunday procession from St.Joseph R.C. Church on Poplar Ave. to St. Thomas R.C. Church on Amboy Rd. This took place on April 16, 2000. (Advance file photo)

Jason Paderon

St. Thomas the Apostle Church was also open to individual prayer Sunday. April 5, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon)

Hilton Flores

Nancy Paugh warming up the childrens choir on the piano before heading to church for Palm Sunday service at St. Paul's United Methodist Church on March 28, 2010. (Advance file photo)

Hilton Flores

Dr. Judith A. Stevens, pastor of St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Tottenville as she receives the palms at the start of the Palm Sunday service on March 28, 2010. (Advance file photo)

Rob Sollett

The procession passes St. Paul's Methodist Church as it makes its way along Amboy Road to Bethel Church on March 31, 1996. (Advance File Photo)

Jason Paderon

A view outside of a closed St. Paul's United Methodist Church on Palm Sunday. April 5, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon)

Hilton Flores

Holy Child R.C. Church in Eltingville was packed on Palm Sunday 2010. (Advance file photo)

Hilton Flores

Rev. Wilfred Y. Dodo touches the palms at the altar as he explains the meaning of Palm Sunday during mass at Holy Child in 2010.  (Staten Island Advance photo/Hilton Flores)

Jason Paderon

The parking lot outside of Holy Child RC Church would typically be overflowing on Palm Sunday. April 5, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon)

Jason Paderon

Palm Sunday at Holy Child R.C. Church has a much different tone this year. The Eltingville church's doors remained open for people to engage in silent prayer. April 5, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon)

Hilton Flores

Young girl holding her palms at Christ Church New Brighton on March 20, 2016 (Staten Island Advance/Hilton Flores)

Hilton Flores

Parishioners attending the Palm Sunday service at Christ Church New Brighton on March 20, 2016 (Staten Island Advance/Hilton Flores)

Hilton Flores

NWS Palm Sunday

Parishioners received their palms as the start of a Palm Sunday service at Christ Church New Brighton on March 20, 2016 (Staten Island Advance/Hilton Flores)

Jason Paderon

Christ Episcopal Church in New Brighton didn't have any Palm Sunday services. April 5, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon)

Hilton Flores

Usher Steven Pantaleone handed out the palms to parishioners at the end of mass at Our Lady Help of Christians R.C. Church on March 20, 2016 (Staten Island Advance/Hilton Flores)

Hilton Flores

Rev. D. Francis Dias participated in the celebration of the Eucharist during a Palm Sunday mass at Our Lady Help of Christians R.C. Church on March 20, 2016 (Staten Island Advance/Hilton Flores)

Hilton Flores

Rev. Anne Morgan, Pastor Bethel UME church listened to Deacon John Singler from Our Lady Help of Christians R.C. Church read during a Palm Sunday Procession on April 5, 2004. (Advance file photo)

Jason Paderon

Our Lady Help of Christians R.C. Church on Palm Sunday, April 5, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon)