On Holy Thursday, the journey towards the Divine Drama culminates and the day is dedicated to the Last Supper with the 12 Apostles, the Holy Basin, the Crucifixion, and the 12 Gospels.
According to the church, on Holy Thursday the Last Supper is celebrated, that is, the supper of Jesus Christ with the 12 Apostles, as described in the Gospels of Matthew (26:17-30a), Mark (14:12-26) and Luke (22:7-23), the Holy Lap (the washing of the feet of the 12 Apostles by Christ) and the betrayal of Judas.
Also on the morning of Holy Thursday, the Vespers of Good Friday is celebrated along with the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great and many believers receive communion. For those who fast strictly during Holy Week, without oil, Holy Thursday is canceled and the believers can eat oil.
The congregation brings flowers to the church which they lay before the Crucified One and which they use to decorate the Epitaph.
The 12 Gospels and "Today He is hanging on a tree"
In the afternoon after 18:30 p.m., the Service of the Holy and Immaculate Passion or Twelve Gospels takes place, in which 12 passages from the 4 Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) are read regarding the Holy Passion of Christ from the Last Supper to the Burial.
The Twelve Gospels describe Jesus' journey to Golgotha. The Last Supper, the tears and human weakness in the Gardens of Gethsemane, his betrayal by Judas, the arrest, the trial, the torture, the Crucifixion.
Their name "Twelve Gospels" comes from the 12 Gospel passages that are read on Holy Thursday, as the Gospels of the New Testament are four, from the four Evangelists of the Church.
Source: cnn.gr
