Foot-washing rite performed at the Armenian Church of Saint Catherine in St. Petersburg

On the occasion of Holy Thursday, the spiritual pastor of the Armenians of St. Petersburg, priest Yefrem Zargaryan, and priest Gevond Temkin consecrated water and oil and performed the symbolic foot-washing rite at the Armenian Church of Saint Catherine. The consecrated oil was, as is customary, distributed to all those present.

Holy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper in the Upper Room in Jerusalem (Matt. 26:17–29; Mark 14:22–25). At his final supper, Jesus broke bread, gave thanks to the Father, and distributed it among the apostles: “This is my Body, which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me. Likewise the cup after supper, saying: this cup is the new covenant in my Blood, which is shed for you.” This commandment became the foundation of the sacrament of Communion, symbolizing Christ’s self-sacrifice for humanity. On the morning of Holy Thursday, churches celebrate the Divine Liturgy, while the evening is marked by the symbolic rite of the washing of feet.