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In the Maronite Catholic Church, it is traditional to wash the feet of children (please spare me the commentary on Christ washing the feet of His disciples - all men!). I am well aware of our Roman Catholic Tradition but now wish to express how one of the Eastern Catholic Churches treats this special evening. In our Maronite Catholic parish, Father washes the feet of the children. It is a struggle for him to bring the parents to Church so by inviting the children, the parents naturally follow. It becomes a "teaching" moment for both the children and their parents. Some of the older parishioners have assured me that this is the tradition they have always known in this country. Since I don't have a reference point, I have pinged a native Lebanese Maronite in hopes that he can clarify the Maronite Church's position on the washing of the feet on Holy Thursday.

The service is broken into 4 segments with Abouna washing the feet of each group of 4 children. When he arrives at the last group, a carefully selected boy takes on the role of St. Peter.

Holy Thursday liturgy culminates with exposition of the Holy Eucharist until 1AM.

On Good Friday morning, the faithful gather in Church to celebrate the Signing of the Chalice. This Anaphora of Addai and Mari is THE most ancient in the entire Catholic Church read more. Late in the afternoon, we gather as a community to celebrate a meatless meal. Following this, we proceed to Church. The women bring bouquets of flowers.

Inside the Church, we find the Crucifix in a stand on the altar, with a black shawl draped over the arms. Before the Crucifix, is an icon of the Blessed Mother. On the Sanctuary floor is a black shroud on which the women place their flowers. During the Good Friday evening liturgy, the men come forward and carry the black shroud on which the corpus of Christ has been laid amidst the flowers, around the Church in procession. The shroud, crucifix and flowers are then placed inside a tomb. We then chant a magnificent hymn of the Blessed Mother, then leave the Church in total silence.

At midnight Mass on Saturday, we gather again to see the stone rolled back from the tomb which is now empty. Christ is Risen! Truly Risen!