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Αναγνώσματα της
Ακολουθίας
Readings of the
Service:
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Ὅτε οἱ ἔνδοξοι Μαθηταί, ἐν τῷ νιπτήρι τοῦ
Δείπνου ἐφωτίζοντο, τότε Ἰούδας ὁ δυσσεβής,
φιλαργυρίαν νοσήσας ἐσκοτίζετο, καὶ ἀνόμοις
κριταῖς, σὲ τὸν δίκαιον Κριτὴν παραδίδωσι.
Βλέπε χρημάτων ἐραστά, τὸν διὰ ταῦτα ἀγχόνη
χρησάμενον, φεῦγε ἀκόρεστον ψυχήν, τὴν
Διδασκάλω τοιαῦτα τολμήσασαν. Ὁ περὶ πάντας
ἀγαθός, Κύριε δόξα σοί.
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Απολυτίκιον της Αγίας και Μεγάλης Πέμπτης
When the glorious disciples were enlightened at the
washing of the feet, then Judas the ungodly was
stricken and darkened with the love of money; and to
lawless judges he delivered you, the just judge. O
lover of money, look upon him who for its sake
hanged himself; flee from the insatiable soul, which
dared such things against the Teacher. O you who are
good to all, Lord, glory to you.
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Apolytikion of Great
and Holy Thursday
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Let's Talk About...
The Service of the Washing of the Feet
(Η Ακολουθία του Νιπτήρος)
The service of the Washing of the Feet on Holy
Wednesday evening is very ancient, and is common to
both East and West. This service has its roots in
the Bible, with Jesus washing the feet of His
disciples before the Last and Mystical Supper.
This service is usually practiced
in some cathedral Churches and monasteries.
On the Greek island of Patmos, the monks of the
monastery of St. John the Theologian perform the
ceremony in the open air in the middle of the
village. This service is also done in Jerusalem in
various Churches.
In this service, the Bishop would gird himself with
an apron and wash the feet of the priests at the
service (the place of the Bishop is taken by the
Superior/Abbot when in the setting of a Monastery).
When this service is done in the Church, usually the
Priest will ask the faithful to wash their feet.
This humble gesture by the priest reminds everyone
of the humility of Jesus Christ, and His words:
“Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your
servant, and whoever wants to be first must be the
slave of all.” (Mark 10:43-44)
Please note that this service is not usually not
practiced in our Churches in Canada.
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A Prayer of the Service
Lord and God, supremely good, unapproachable in your divinity, who
in the form of a slave took on the figure of a servant, and as an
example of saving humility washed the feet of your Disciples with
your spotless hands, and wiped them with a towel, look too upon us
now, your unworthy servants, as we imitate the great glory of this
your condescension; and count us worthy to wash away the defilements
of the flesh and the filth of the soul through the contact of this
water. Grant us the grace of the invisible visitation of your
all-holy Spirit; make our souls and bodies secure from the cunning
serpent that lies in wait for our heel; so that, having become pure,
we may adore you fittingly, as we walk on snakes and scorpions and
every power of the foe.
For to you belong all glory, honour and worship, with your Father
who has no beginning and your all-holy Spirit, now and for ever, and
to the ages of ages. Amen.
For the complete text of this service, click
here.
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