Holy Thursday: The Lord’s Mystical Supper

Thursday 17th April 2025 @ 8:15pm

Good Shepherd Chapel, Abbotsford

The congregation were welcomed this evening by the peaceful sounds of Metropolitan Raffaele playing the organ and singing some gentle hymns.

The liturgy began as “An Upper Room” was sung by the Metropolitan. Father Mark lead the evenings celebrations, with Father Matthew and our two servers supporting. The Kyrie and Gloria were performed next, accompanied by some gentle organ.

The reading was done by Father Matthew - it reminded us that those who drink of the Cup bring justice upon themselves, and that we should prepare ourselves (heart, mind, and soul) to be judged.

Next, the Gospel was brought amongst the people and Father Matthew read from St Matthew’s Gospel. It spoke of the time when Judas was given thirty pieces of silver to betray Jesus. It told us how the group of apostles had organised to celebrate the Passover feast together at someone’s home - this was to become the Last Supper.

On his presbyterial anniversary, Father Mark gave tonight’s homily. He spoke of how Jesus came in the form of a humble servant, washing the feet of his followers. He explained that our task on Earth is twofold: to love God, and to love our neighbour. He wondered how we could best love our neighbours - even those who do so a wrong (as it is easy to love those who are kind and generous to us). He said we can love them by praying for the lost and broken souls of this world. We don’t have to be best buddies with our enemies, but we should forgive them and remember them in our prayers.

He went on to explain that when we take the Eucharist, we get to be joined with God. In this moment, we should practice forgiveness, as we not only take part in the Holy Mysteries for ourselves, but for all of humanity. He reminded us of God’s message of forgiveness - that we should always forgive those who cause us pain and suffering. We can practice forgiveness by letting go of our hurt and praying for those who caused it. He told a story of twenty-one men who were killed in Libya: a journalist later interviewed their wives and loved ones who all said they prayed for the men who had killed their husbands - that they would find redemption in the Light. Finally, Father Mark reminded us to remember those we love in our prayers, but also remember those who wrong us, that they may also come to the Light.

From the organ, Metropolitan Raffaele explained that to show humility, on Holy Thursday the High Priest washes the feet of the clergy, just as Jesus had done for his disciples. Father Mark proceeded to humbly wash the clergy’s feet.

The liturgy continued and the Holy Gifts were brought and placed on the altar. The Creed was recited and the Sanctus sung by Metropolitan Raffaele from the organ.

The Gifts were blessed and the prayer for transfiguration was uttered. The Metropolitan then joined the clergy at the altar to sing the Amen and pray to the Theotokos. The congregation recited the Our Father prayer before the clergy sung the prayer in beautiful harmony.

The clergy took Communion and then shared it with the congregation. Metropolitan Raffaele returned to the organ to sing “Let Creation Now Keep its Silence” and “Resta con noi” in thanksgiving for the Holy Mysteries.

The Gifts were returned to the prothesis; the Altar of Repose. The Metropolitan explained that icons represent the image of God, as before Jesus came we had no image of God. But now we do. We all moved to the Altar of Repose where the evening's rite continued. Metropolitan Raffaele read from the Gospel of St John which spoke about the events after the Supper, when Jesus was denied thrice, arrested, and charged. We all kneeled in silent reverence as we pondered these words.

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