The Last Supper depicted in a Syriac ms.

This service portrays Christ's washing of His disciples' feet after the Last Supper. It starts with the celebrant calling twelve deacons representing the disciples. A priest, or the highest ranking deacon, represents Simon Peter. It is worth noting that the Judas is excluded and replaced by Matthias, the disciple who was chosen to replace Judas after the resurrection of Christ (Acts 1:26).

During the service, the celebrant washes the right feet of the 12 deacons, anointing them with oil and kissing them. Then the deacon (or priest) representing Peter, with the other eleven assisting him, washes both feet of the celebrant. If the celebrant is a bishop, he is carried on his chair when he reads the Gospels, amidst the ululation of women.

Excerpts from the Washing of the Feet Service

Qolo: Emo Dkhitho

Audio

He, Whom the seraphim sanctify with fear,
Washed today the feet of His disciples.
Refrain: Have mercy upon us O Lord.

He, Whom the Cherubim carry in fear,
Bowed His head in front of His disciples.
Refrain: Have mercy upon us O Lord.

He, Whom the fiery hosts serve Him on the high,
Poured water in the basin on earth.
Refrain: Have mercy upon us O Lord.

Qolo: Bro Dashro

Audio

Blessed is He Who poured water into a basin
And washed the feet of His disciples.
Saying unto them: "Follow this example,
And do likewise to one another."
Blessed are You, O Lord God.

Blessed is Christ, Who by His love,
Tied a cloth around His loins,
And washed the feet of His disciples.
He also broke his Body and Blood for them.
Blessed are You, O Lord God.

Qolo: Quqoyo
Audio

How glorious was the eve
On which our Lord ministered to His Disciples
As they entered one by one for the washing.
The Fire was standing, holding a basin and a cloth
Tied around His loins.
What a great wonder that Judas did not burn at that moment
When our Savior offered him water for the washing.
Halleluiah and Halleluiah.

Bo^cootho (Petition) of Mor Ya`qub
Audio

How glorious was the eve
On which our Lord ministered to His Disciples
As they entered one by one for the washing.
The Fire was standing, holding a basin and a cloth
Tied around His loins.
What a great wonder that Judas did not burn at that moment
When our Savior offered him water for the washing.
Halleluiah and Halleluiah.

Archbishop washes the feet, Bethlehem 1977 (left). Archbishop carried on a chair to read the Gospel, Bethlehem 1980 (right).

Source:

Ma`de`dono: The Book of the Church Festivals (1984).