GOOD THURSDAY

      GOOD THURSDAY OR MAUDY THURSDAY AS DESCRIBED IN THE GOSPELS

The Last Supper  by Leonardo da Vinci

The Last Supper or the Secret Supper, according to the Orthodox Church, is Jesus’ final meal with his disciples, in Jerusalem, before his crucifixion.   The Last Supper provides the scriptural basis of the Eucharest e.g. the Holy Communion. 

After humbly washing his disciples’ feet, and during the Last Supper, Jesus predicts his betrayal by Judas and forecasts that before the next morning, Peter will have thrice denied knowing Him.  During this meal Jesus broke bread and offered it to the Apostles, saying:  “Take eat this is my body” and later he picked a bowl of wine and told them: “Drink of it all, for this, is my blood of the covenant which is poured for many for the forgiveness of sins.  Do this in remembrance of me.”

According to St John’s Gospel, the Last Supper took place concurrently with the Crucifixion, while other sources assume that the Last Supper was held one day before the terrible event.  Various historical accounts by the clergy, historians and astronomers are controversial about the precise time of the Holy Drama.   Anyhow, it fills the hearts of Christians, all over the world, with deep grief for the suffering and anguish for the death of our Lord and, simultaneously, with happy expectations of His glorious Resurrection on the following Sunday.  CHRISTOS ANESTI.!!!   

A Bouquet of Flowers by Jan Brueghel