Holy Thursday: “Today He is hung upon the wood”

The events of the last time of Jesus Christ’s beingness connected world are re-enacted connected Holy Thursday successful the Greek Orthodox Church.

Tonight, thousands of Greek Australians are expected to capable Orthodox churches crossed the country, with attendance acceptable to highest connected Good Friday for the Epitaph procession and again connected Holy Saturday nighttime for the Resurrection.

According to the Gospels, Christ wished to stock 1 last repast with His disciples earlier His sacrifice for humanity.

Before the Last Supper, which took spot successful a location successful Jerusalem, Christ washed the feet of His disciples, an enactment typically performed by servants astatine the time. Through this gesture, known today arsenic the Sacred Washing (Nipteras), He demonstrated the humility that radical should amusement towards 1 another.

After Judas departed, Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Holy Communion, offering breadstuff and wine to His disciples, saying: “Take, eat; this is my body” and “Drink of it, each of you; this is my blood.”

Following the meal, Jesus and His disciples went to the Mount of Olives, where He prayed earlier ultimately being arrested by the Romans with Judas’ betrayal.

During the evening service, the Crucifixion of Christ is commemorated. The Twelve Gospels, recounting the Holy Passion, are work aloud. After the 5th Gospel, the crucified Christ is brought retired into the church.

“Today He is hung upon the wood, He who hung the world upon the waters,” the clergyman chants arsenic helium carries the crucified Christ successful procession, symbolising the infinitesimal of the Crucifixion.

At astir 9pm, the lights successful churches are dimmed. The procession moves slowly done the congregation, illuminated lone by candlelight, arsenic the consciousness of mourning deepens and the Passion reaches its peak.

Yet adjacent successful sorrow, anticipation remains:

“We venerate Your Passion, O Christ; amusement us besides Your glorious Resurrection.”

Throughout the nighttime of Holy Thursday into the aboriginal hours of Good Friday, many, peculiarly women, stay successful church, chanting hymns of lamentation for Christ.

In galore places, the decoration of the Epitaphios (Christ’s bier) besides begins during this night.

At home, Holy Thursday is besides known arsenic “Red Thursday”, arsenic families dye eggs reddish successful mentation for Easter. It is besides the time when traditional Easter breads and biscuits — tsoureki and koulourakia — are prepared.

In some regions of Greece, it is customary for Christians to bent reddish cloths from their windows, marking the solemnity of the day.