The Orthodox Church observes Great and Holy Thursday of Passion Week

Icon of the Last Supper. Photo: psdsale.com

On April 17, 2025, Orthodox Christians entered into Great and Holy Thursday of Passion Week during Great Lent. On this day, the Holy Church commemorates the events of the Last Supper, the dreadful night in the Garden of Gethsemane, the hour of judgment, and Christ’s betrayal unto death.

On the eve of His Passion, Christ shared His final meal with His disciples.

At the beginning of the Last Supper, Christ washed the feet of His disciples – setting an example of true humility and service to one’s neighbor. In memory of this, the Church has established the rite of the washing of feet: during the Holy Thursday service, a bishop washes the feet of twelve priests or monks.

After washing their feet, Christ offered wine to His disciples and broke bread for them: “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed it and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My Body.’ Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. For this is My Blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins’” (Matthew 26:26–28).

Thus, the great Sacrament of the Eucharist (Holy Communion) was established.

While with His disciples, Christ announced that one of them would betray Him – the one who would dip his hand in the bowl with Him. He foretold the coming trials, Peter’s threefold denial, and also His future appearance to them after the Resurrection in Galilee.

After supper, Christ went with His disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane, where He prayed to God the Father and sorrowed over the sufferings that awaited Him – yet in humility He said, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it – Your will be done” (Matthew 26:42).
The apostles, whom Jesus had asked to keep watch and pray with Him so as not to fall into temptation, He found sleeping several times.

Around midnight, the traitor Judas came into the garden with a crowd armed by the chief priests and elders. Approaching the Savior, Judas betrayed Him with a kiss. At that moment, Jesus was seized and humbly gave Himself into the hands of sinners to endure great sufferings on the Cross. The disciples who had been with Him fled – leaving Him alone.

On Holy Thursday, the full Liturgy of St. Basil the Great is celebrated in churches. The most important hymns of the day are the Troparion “When the Glorious Disciples” and the hymn “Of Thy Mystical Supper, O Son of God, accept me today as a communicant” – in which Christians confess Christ as God and ask to be made worthy of union with Him in the Eucharist.

On this day, the Psalter is no longer read (until Thomas Sunday), and full prostrations are not performed (except before the Epitaphios). Also on this day, the Chrism – a special aromatic mixture used in the Sacrament of Chrismation – is consecrated.

In the evening, on the eve of Great and Holy Friday, the Twelve Passion Gospels are read in church – during which the faithful stand with lit candles.

Earlier, the UOJ reminded readers of the key events commemorated during Passion Week.

Read also