On Thursday, March 28, 2013, Maundy Thursday was observed in Prelacy Churches with three spiritually moving services commemorating the last days of the earthly ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The day began with Divine Liturgy commemorating the Sacrament of Communion instituted by Jesus Christ Himself during the Last Supper. In the afternoon, the Washing of the Feet service was held during which priests washed the feet of acolytes and faithful in the example of Jesus Christ Who washed the feet of His disciples as a mark of humility. The most poignant service of the day is held at night with the Vigil service commemorating the betrayal, arrest, and torture of Jesus.
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, conducted the Washing of the Feet service at St. Sarkis Church in Pasadena. In his message, the Prelate cited the Words of Jesus Christ to the Apostle Peter “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this” (John 13:7), and elaborated that by washing the feet of His disciples, Jesus gave a great commandment to us all, the commandment of love, service, and humility. The earthly ministry of Christ is the greatest testament to the immeasurable love of our Lord Who sent His Son to make an unfathomable sacrifice for the remission of our sins. And through the Washing of the Feet, our Lord commands us to follow in His perfect example by loving and serving one another with humility and compassion, said the Prelate.
Later in the evening, the Prelate presided over the Vigil service at St. Mary’s Church in Glendale. With the Church lights dimmed and the reverberation of the spiritually stirring hymns “Glory to God in the Highest” and “Where are you, My mother”, faithful somberly commemorated the last day of Christ on earth and His path to the Cross for our salvation. The Prelate stated that when Jesus was crucified, there were around Him different groups of people; those who called for His death, those who denied Him out of fear and doubt, and a third group comprised of His mother, close relatives, and secret disciples who remained faithful to Him until the end, among them the Apostle John standing next to the Holy Mother of God, to whom Jesus said, “Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home (John 19:25-27)). Blessed are those among us who count ourselves among the group who remained faithfully devoted to Him, for only then will we triumph over sin and death and be worthy of His promise of redemption and salvation, concluded the Prelate.
