Synaxarion for Holy and Great Thursday
On Holy and Great Thursday the Divine Fathers, who have arranged all things well, received from the divine Apostles and the sacred Gospels and in turn handed down to us, that today we should celebrate four things: the sacred Washing of Feet, the Mystical Supper (that is, the tradition of what we know as the awesome Mysteries of Holy Communion), the High Priestly Prayer, and finally the Betrayal itself.
What Great Thursday Tells Us
The importance of this unity is reflected in the chief sacrament, the Divine Eucharist, which is transmitted to the Church today. To be in communion with God, you have first to be in communion with other people. The Lord behaves towards Judas in the same way as He does towards the other disciples, even though He knows he will betray Him. All the actions of His presence on earth combine to reconcile human nature and morals and to show them the real human image as made by God, as made to love.
Synaxarion for Holy and Great Thursday
On Holy and Great Thursday, the Divine Fathers, who ordered all things aright, in succession to the Divine Apostles and the Sacred Gospels, have handed down to us the tradition of celebrating four events: the sacred Foot-washing, the Mystical Supper (that is, the bestowal of the dread Mysteries), the preternatural Prayer, and the Betrayal itself.
Foot Washing Ceremony in Jerusalem
Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem washes the feet of his clergymen on Holy Thursday. Travis Brecher reports (Reuters)
Holy and Great Thursday
Synaxarion of Holy and Great Thursday Holy and Great Thursday Holy Thursday-Comments on the main themes The Last Supper Theology and Eucharist