2003 Washing of the Feet Service in Holy Etchmiadzin
17.04.2003
On Holy Thursday, April 17, the major services of Holy Week commenced in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. The three services on Holy Thursday commemorate the Last Supper of Jesus Christ, the Savior's display of humility in washing the feet of his disciples, and the establishment of the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
In the morning, in commemoration of the Last Supper and establishment of the Sacrament of Holy Communion, Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the Mother Cathedral. During the Liturgy, hundreds of faithful received Holy Communion. The celebrant was Rev. Fr. Koriun Arakelian, who having just completed his forty-day period of preparation, celebrated his inaugural Divine Liturgy.
In the early evening, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians presided and conducted the Washing of the Feet Service. Following readings from the Holy Bible, His Holiness blessed the water and oil with the Holy Cross and Gospel. Following the example of Jesus Christ, His Holiness knelt on the bema before the Holy Altar and washed the feet of twelve individuals. This year, in commemoration of the 1,700th Anniversary of the Consecration of the Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin, the twelve chosen men were representatives from all ranks of clergy and laity. Two bishops, two celibate priests, two married priests, two deacons, two acolytes and two seminarians each in turn sat before His Holiness, had their feet washed, and kissed his anointed right hand. The final reading from the Gospel once again taught of Christ?s display of true humility and love by this act.
At the conclusion of the service, blessed oil was distributed to the faithful. As tradition dictates, the faithful take the blessed oil home, and mix it with the oil used for the preparation of family meals.
Late in the evening of Holy Thursday, under the presidency of His Holiness, the entire Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin participated in the Order of the Betrayal Service, during which the betrayal of Christ and His tortures and sufferings were remembered until well into the early hours of the next morning. Hundreds of faithful were present for the candlelight service.
