Last supper

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This buffet table in a forest was actually for a "birthday party" in honor of an archaeologist friend who had died earlier in that year.

But tonight, it being Maundy Thursday for my Christian friends, the long table somehow looks more like the Last Supper, the one that took place in Jerusalem a long time ago.

The Washing of the Feet, Holy Thursday

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My friend who lives a few blocks from the Old City is attending all the ceremonies of the Orthodox Christians this week, their Holy Week, and she graciously shares her photos with you and me.

On Holy Thursday morning  the crowd gathered around the dais in the parvis (entrance courtyard) of the Holy Sepulchre.
Last year I showed you the workmen preparing all this temporary construction and wiring. 

 All of my friend's photos can be much enlarged with a click or two.

The Greek Orthodox clergy took their places.
People were watching from atop the Greek monastery across the street from the Holy Sepulchre.

A temporary raised pulpit (with ladder) for the readings.

The only man without a hat is Patriarch Theophilis III.
He removed some of the splendid liturgical vestments to perform the Ceremony of the Washing of the Feet. 
The Patriarch washed the feet of twelve of his clergymen, following the example of Jesus who washed his twelve apostles' feet at the Last Supper.

See close-ups at this website. 

The morning ceremony was ended but later, Thursday evening and night, all the Orthodox churches had more processions, Gospel Readings, etc.
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Tomorrow is Easter Sunday!
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Guest photographer's great holy day photos

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A good friend, who lucky for me does not have a blog, has kindly allowed me to show you her great photos of the foot washing ceremony.
She climbed up to the roof to get them!

Please double-click on the pictures to see the many details.
Don't miss the priest perched up on the side of the wall!
And notice the large number of official photographers on the dais.

Both photos courtesy of a friend

This ceremony took place two days ago, on Holy Thursday.
Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilus III washed the feet of twelve of his clergymen, following the example of Jesus who washed his twelve apostles' feet on the day before the first Good Friday.
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Eastern Orthodox Christians are now in the Triduum and tomorrow they will celebrate Easter.

Today they have the ceremony of the Holy Light, which happens only in Jerusalem, only in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, only on Great Saturday.
The Holy Fire miraculously comes down to the tomb of Jesus, the pilgrims believe, and the Greek Patriarch emerges and passes it on to the joyous faithful.
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(See also my post about the Holy Sepulchre getting wired in preparation.)
(See details about the Holy Fire ceremony in the Jerusalem Post.)
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Soon the Easter Vigil will begin.
Easter blessings to all the Orthodox Christians!
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UPDATE The Jerusalem Post now has a video of the Holy Fire. Take a look!
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The Holy Sepulchre in the electronic age

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Coming out of the Holy Sepulchre this afternoon I was shocked to see this man out on a ledge.

First I thought "Don't jump!" and second I thought "Don't break that ledge!"
Especially since the Crusaders built it a long time ago and because it looks this beautiful when you look up to the sky.
(Enlarge the photo to appreciate the stonework detail.)

Then I saw they were only stringing cable and preparing the church for the widescreen coverage of the many ceremonies to be held tomorrow.

Inside, too, men were putting down little ramps so the thousands of pilgrims will not trip over the cables tomorrow.
With a little LUCK the workers will finish all the preparations in time for the Orthodox Holy Thursday.

In the parvis, the entrance courtyard of the Holy Sepulchre, the dais has already been built.
The Greek Patriarch will rise from the red and gold chair and wash the feet of those seated on the two benches.
This in commemoration of Jesus' washing of his apostles' feet on that first Maundy Thursday.
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According to the fine Holy Land Calendar of Christian Feasts & Events 2012 published by the Ministry of Tourism (which you can download in PDF !):

"Highlights of the feast in Jerusalem:
Washing of the Feet--
The Greek Patriarch in courtyard of the Holy Sepulchre.
The Head of the Franciscan Order in the Room of the Last Supper and later at the St. Savior Church.
The Latin Patriarch at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Anglicans, Armenians, Copts, Syrians, and Ethiopians in their respective churches. "

And that is only the morning program!
Go to the calendar to see what will happen in the afternoon, evening and night time.
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UPDATE: Haaretz now has 7 Reuters photos of the foot washing day at the Holy Sepulchre. Click here to see them.
Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilus III did indeed wash the feet of 12 of his clergymen, there on the platform I showed you.
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UPDATE Oct. 2014: A video clip on the restoration and re-opening of the Chapel of the Franks.
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