Holy Wednesday

Chapel with the Flagellation
column

 It's Holy Wednesday today and there was the traditional veneration of the Column of the Flagellation. That's a purple column believed to be the one Jesus was tied to when he was scourged. Half of it is now in Malta and the other half is here in the Holy Sepulchre basilica. The Crusaders when retreating from Saladin's army in the 13th century,  carried one half to Malta.

The ceremony begins with mid-morning prayer, a procession around the Empty Tomb and then a procession to the Blessed Sacrament chapel to venerate the Column. It's a nice tradition that takes place nowhere else in the world.

The Column

Veneration

I'm still replacing my librarian who's undergoing an operation in hospital. So I can't join in the Chrism Mass and the Lord's Supper at the Holy Sepulchre tomorrow morning. Not that I want to anyway ... I'm not vaccinated. Nowadays you need to show your green pass in order to enter a church and join in the celebrations.

Tomorrow will be another tiring day at work. I'll sleep early tonight. Will pray for you all herre in Jerusalem.