The ‘Holy Thursday’ Mass, which commemorates the last supper that the Lord Jesus Christ ate with his disciples, to whom he gave his greatest command, saying, ‘Love One Another As I Love You,’ while walking towards death on the Cross, was held in Iskenderun with sadness. During the Sacred Mass, the ritual of washing the feet was also performed.
The Catholic Community, which entered the “Holy Week” after the Feast of Palm Sunday celebrated last weekend, performed the Holy Thursday rites with a sad ceremony. The Eucharist Rite in the Iskenderun Annunciation Latin Catholic Church was conducted by the Anatolian Apostle Vicar and Bishop, Monsignor Paolo Bizzeti. Church Father Dariusz Dogondke also accompanied Bizzeti.
The last supper that Jesus had with his Apostles and the special ritual that commemorated the washing of his apostles’ feet like a servant during this supper began with readings from the Bible about the meaning of the day. After the readings, Bishop Monsignor Bizzeti washed, kissed and dried the feet of 12 members of the congregation as per traditional rituals.
Speaking after the Foot Washing ritual, Monsignor Bizzet, at the last supper of Christ Jesus with his apostles; He stated that in addition to the Eucharist, Humility also came to the fore. In his speech, Bizzetti also emphasized the commandment of Jesus Christ to “Love One Another”.
Bishop Monsignor Bizzeti then took the Holy Eucharist and brought it to the chapel of the church. Here, Bizzeti, kneeling and praying with his companions, left the Eucharist in its place and continued his prayer in silence for a while with the members of the congregation.
In the Holy Thursday Mass, which was held with the participation of the Iskenderun community, as well as a group from the surrounding provinces and Italy, the Holy Eucharist was established, hymns were sung and supplications were performed together.
In Iskenderun Annunciation Latin Catholic Church, after this Holy Night, the ‘Sad Good Friday’ ritual will be held this evening and the Easter service will be held on Saturday evening. (SAT-7 TURK/İlyas Edip TERBİYELİ/İskenderun)
