On Thursday of Holy Week four events are commemorated: the washing of the disciples’ feet, the institution of the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper, the agony in the garden of Gethsemane, and the betrayal of Christ by Judas. This year, the spiritual leader of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in America, Metropolitan – Archbishop Stefan Soroka reenacted the role of Jesus in the annual Holy Thursday ritual of the washing of the feet at the Assumption Catholic Church in Perth Amboy, NJ. Twelve priests, dressed in a red vestments filed the altar before of the beautiful church. At the end of the service, each placed a bare foot above a silver basin. The Archbishop Stefan, stripped of his red robe and wearing a white gown, individually washed, wiped and then kissed each priest's foot. In the Bible, in the Gospel of John, Jesus washed the feet of his 12 disciples before the Last Supper and his eventual crucifixion to demonstrate to them his humility and friendship, the Archbishop explained to the parishioners. This celebration usually takes place at the Cathedral in Philadelphia, but this yesr Archbishop chose to travel to the Assumption Parish, so the parishioners and students from the Assumption Catholic School could participate in Thursday's ceremony.

PS. More pictures will be posted later in the Image Category.