The washing of the feet service in Antelias and Etchmiadzin

See below photos from both locations

 

1) CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA

 

THE WASHING OF FEET AND CRUCIFIXION SERVICES: A SOURCE OF SPIRITUAL RENEWAL

 

ANTELIAS, Lebanon – The services marking the last week of the Great Lent and the events of Jesus Christ?s last week on earth are the most festive services of the Armenian Church in terms of their rituals. On the Thursday of this week in particular, three consecutive services are held: Holy Mass, the Washing of Feet and Crucifixion.

 

A large number of faithful attended the Holy Mass held in the St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral on the morning of April 5.

 

The Washing of Feet service, an example of unbounded Godly humility that calls on men to modesty and tolerance, was conducted by His Holiness Aram I in the afternoon. Wearing an apron, the Pontiff washed the feet of 12 Seminary students representing the 12 apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

The Catholicos then delivered a sermon, considering the message of the story as the basis of human society. ?Humility is the prerequisite of love, harmony and peace. God?s humility to even wash the feet of his apostles is a moral lesson to men of all times,? he said. The faithful took with them blessed oil to mix with the oil they use at home with the hope of spreading God?s blessings over their homes.

 

Later in the evening, starting with 7 PM and till late at night, the Cathedral of Antelias was again filled with faithful, and mostly the Armenian youth, who attended the service of the ?Evening of weeping?. V. Rev. Shahe Panossian delivered the sermon on Jesus Christ?s crucifixion, talking about his sacrifice for the world.

 

The Cilician Brotherhood Members read the seven sections of the Gospel, during which following Armenian tradition, the faithful made seven knots on a piece of strong to wear on their wrists the strength of God?s prayers until Ascension.

 

After the ?Bahbanich? prayers said by His Holiness and the blessings by the Cross, with a relic from the original Cross of our Lord, the faithful went home late in the evening, renewed with the legacy of Good Thursday.

 

Source: Newsletter of the Catholicosate of Cilicia
Issue Number # 33/07, 06 April 2007       
Website: www.cathcil.org




2) CATHOLICOSATE OF ALL ARMENIANS

 

WASHING OF THE FEET SERVICE IN HOLY ETCHMIADZIN

 

On Holy Thursday, April 5, the major services of Holy Week began in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.  Following Morning Services, a solemn Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the Mother Cathedral by Rev. Fr. Hovhannes Mayilian, in remembrance of our Lord Jesus Christ?s Last Supper and the establishment of the sacrament of Holy Communion.

 

In the afternoon, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians offered the Washing of the Feet service, which commemorates the act of great humility by Jesus Christ in washing the feet of his disciples.

 

As the service commenced, readings from the Holy Bible and the singing of hymns prepared the men who were chosen to represent the twelve disciples, as well as all of the faithful in attendance.

 

His Holiness then blessed the oil that is later distributed to the faithful, which is taken home and combined with the oil used for cooking the Easter meal.  Afterwards, following the example of the Lord, the Catholicos of All Armenians kneeled down before the twelve men and washed their feet and anointed them with oil.  This year, the men were selected from among the bishops, priests, deacons and seminarians of Holy Etchmiadzin.

 

Source: PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Website: www.armenianchurch.org
April 5, 2007




Photos: Catholicos of Cilica Aram I (photo 1) and Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II (photo 2) perform the Washing of the Feet.

 

In Antelias

In Etchmiadzin