251. Ethiopian Orthodox Church Maundy Thursday

Foot washing. Maundy Thursday. Copyright ©2012 Ruth Lor Malloy

When priests washed the feet of congregants at St.Mary Ethiopian Orthodox
Cathedral last Thursday, I could not help thinking about the origin of this act of human kindness. That it was being practised in one of our churches made it more beautiful. When one of the priests touched the tiny foot of a baby with his wet hand, tears came to my eyes.

Feet-washing in the days of dusty roads and open sandals had much more meaning than today. Jesus’ disciples felt they were not worthy of this humble act by their lord. They did not know then that this was their last supper with him.

This church, which is northwest of Dufferin and Eglinton, is only one of Toronto’s many churches that commemorates Maundy Thursday, the day before Good Friday. Many of them practised it last week, as they followed a different calendar.

 

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