Churches will hold Good Friday services, culminating in Easter celebrations on Sunday
Hyderabad: Churches observed Maundy Thursday — commemorating Jesus’ Last Supper — through special liturgies, foot-washing ceremonies and Holy Communion services.
Presiding over a multilingual service in Hyderabad, Bishop Dr Elia Pradeep Samuel of the Methodist Church told worshippers that “Maundy” stemmed from the Latin mandatum (commandment), symbolised by Christ washing His disciples’ feet. “Jesus sets the highest standard of humility,” the bishop said, adding that believers are mandated to “love and serve one another.”
At St Anthony’s Church, Mudfort, parish priest Fr Raju Alex re-enacted the washing of the feet of 12 parishioners — including three women — to illustrate Christ’s example. “I urged the faithful to shed the outer garments of pride, anger and hatred and wash each other’s feet in love,” he said.
St John the Baptist Church in East Marredpally reported near full attendance for its evening Eucharist. Church secretary James Samuel noted that Maundy Thursday holds particular significance for baptised members partaking in the Lord’s Table.
Churches will hold Good Friday services, culminating in Easter celebrations on Sunday.
