Maundy Thursday - Commemoration of the Last Supper and institution of the Eucharist

published on 4/17/25 7:05 AM

Photo: BTA

On that day the Saviour hosted the traditional Passover meal for the Jewish people at the home of a Jerusalemite. Before the meal, as a sign of respect, He washed the apostles' feet and said, "I did not come to be served, but to serve".

At the table, Jesus took the bread, blessed it and, as he divided it among the disciples, said, “Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.” Then He took the cup of wine and said, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."

In this way, the Savior instituted the Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist, which is celebrated during the Divine Liturgy by priests who prayerfully call upon the Holy Spirit to consecrate the bread and wine. Christians receive the Holy Gifts with reverence, believing that they are receiving Christ into their souls, and they strive to maintain His presence through the purity of their hearts.

After delivering the new commandment to love one another, Christ revealed to His disciples that He would be betrayed by one of them. Confused, they asked who would be the one to betray Him. Judas also asked, and Christ answered him so gently that the others did not understand, but only he did. When Judas got up and left, they thought he was going to buy something, since he was the treasurer.

After the meal, Christ went with the Apostles to the garden of Gethsemane, near Jerusalem, where He prayed to His Father, asking if the crucifixion that was about to take place could be passed on from Him, but finally saying humbly, "Not as I will, but as You will", so that His mission of salvation for mankind could be accomplished.

This is also the day of the Great Anointing, when priests anoint the faithful with holy oil for health and salvation.

On Thursday evening, the so-called Twelve Gospels are read. These are twelve passages from the Gospels that recount the suffering of Christ. Through them, Christians reflect on the humiliation and pain that Christ endured, as well as the physical agony of His crucifixion, through which He redeemed the sins of mankind.

"Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. "The message is for the faithful to reflect on whether they too are crucifying Christ through their passions and sins.

During the service, the clergy bring out the Cross from the altar, symbolising Christ's carrying of it to Golgotha.