Maundy Thursday

The Archbishop receives the chrism

There was no Mass for us this morning. We only had Lauds. Then most of us went to the Holy Sepulchre for the Chrism Mass and of the Last Supper. Both Masses are celebrated as one in the Holy Sepulchre. All the prelates were there with seminarians from both the Patriarchate and Custody serving. The Holy Sepulchre was packed with people ... local catholics as well as religious. The scene was spectacular. Without a patriarch, the diocese is led by an Apostolic Administrator who was previously the Franciscan Custos of the Holy Land. A very impressive liturgy where the 3 jars of olive oil were blessed and the Archbishop washing the feet of 12 seminarians.

Procession around the
Empty Tomb 

It was a very long liturgy ... almost 3 hours. Almost the entire liturgy was sung. And thanks to my student, a salesian seminarian, we have some very beautiful photos of the liturgy. After the Mass there was the traditional procession around the Empty Tomb ... 3 times. You have to be here in order to see how awesome this liturgy is.

I of course didn't go. I can't stay for a 3 hour liturgy because of my IBS and asthma (though I haven't had a attack for a month now since my medication was changed). The other guys who participated came home for lunch exhausted. Several had to go to bed to rest.

Right now there is the washing of feet ceremony at the Last Supper Room by the Custos of the Holy Land. Then a procession to the Armenian Orthodox Basilica of St. James where the friars were hosted when they were ousted from the Last Supper Room 500 years ago; and then a visit to the Syrian Orthodox church of St. Mark where the syrians believe is the room of the Last Supper.

This evening till midnight there will be a prayer vigil at the Garden of Gethsemane. After midnight there will be a procession from Gethsemane to the Church of St. Peter Gallicantu. It's a candle light procession down and up the Kidron Valley.

Jewish priests blessing the people

Meantime this morning at the Wailing Wall the jewish priests gave the blessing of Aaron en masse. there were over 80,000 people in attendance. Security was super tight throughout the Old City and helicopters were flying overhead all morning till the crowds dispersed. The priests cover themselves with their prayer shawls and raise their hands in blessing while chanting the blessing of Aaron on all Israel.

Tomorrow will be full day fasting and the streets will be packed with people for the Way of the Cross. I'll stay home. It's safest.