Orthodox Christians mark Maundy Thursday in Jerusalem
- 11 years ago
Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilus III washed the feet of 12 of his clergymen in the courtyard of the Holy Sepulchre Church in Jerusalem on Thursday, in a traditional ceremony that takes place three days ahead of Easter.
According to Christian faith, Jesus washed the feet of his 12 disciples at the Last Supper before he was crucified.
Christian churches world-wide commemorate this event as part of Easter Holy Week celebrations, with Orthodox ceremonies taking place in accordance with the Eastern calendar.
Thousands of worshipers and onlookers, many of them local Palestinian Christians who live in or near the Old City, as well as pilgrims from all over the world, watched the ceremony from inside the courtyard and from nearby rooftops.
The ceremony was held at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a sacred site for Christians, who believe it to be the place of Christ's crucifixion, burial and resurrection.
According to Christian faith, Jesus washed the feet of his 12 disciples at the Last Supper before he was crucified.
Christian churches world-wide commemorate this event as part of Easter Holy Week celebrations, with Orthodox ceremonies taking place in accordance with the Eastern calendar.
Thousands of worshipers and onlookers, many of them local Palestinian Christians who live in or near the Old City, as well as pilgrims from all over the world, watched the ceremony from inside the courtyard and from nearby rooftops.
The ceremony was held at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a sacred site for Christians, who believe it to be the place of Christ's crucifixion, burial and resurrection.