Great and Holy Thursday. Our Venerable Father Mark, Bishop of Arethusa, the Deacon Cyril and Others Martyred During the Reign of Julian the Apostate (360-63)
Great and Holy Week. Abstention from meat and foods that contain meat. The Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great is celebrated today.
Read
Matins – Luke 22:1-39
Vespers with Liturgy – Exodus 19:10-19; Job 38:1-23; 42:1-5;
Isaiah 50:4-11; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32
Matthew 26:2-20; John 13:3-17; Matthew 26:21-39;
Luke 22:43-45; Matthew 26:40-27:2
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
After their exodus from Egypt, and their wandering in the desert for 40 years, Israel was brought to Mount Sinai. It was at this mountain that the Lord desired to give some visible appearance of His glory. After speaking with Moses on the mountain, Moses came down and announced that Israel is to wash all their clothes and to abstain, and on the third day, the Lord will reveal Himself. Indeed, on the third day, the Lord appeared as fire that enveloped the top of the mountain. And the people of Israel were amazed.
Brothers and Sisters, do you see how today’s reading prefigures the very Mystery we will be celebrating these next few days? When it seems that all hope is lost, and it seems that the Lord has abandoned us, on the third day He rises from the grave and is present with us in a new way. Let us prepare well, then, for these days, washing our clothes (not literally, but those garments of our soul, i.e. let’s get to confession) and abstaining. We will here the words of the Lord in amazing brightness—Christ is risen! And we will be filled with joy beyond understanding!