Humble Service at the Heart of Faith: Bishops and Priests Embody Christ’s Teachings

In a profoundly moving ceremony resonant with deep spiritual significance, leaders from the Syro Malankara Catholic Church, gathered to perform the ritual washing of feet, echoing the humility and servant leadership of Jesus Christ. The event, saw His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis, the Major Archbishop-Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Mathews Mar Polycarpos, His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Joshua Mar Ignathios and His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Samuel Mar Irenios, among others, partake in this age-old tradition, underscoring a message of love, service, and unity.

The ritual, performed annually on Maundy Thursday, commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with his apostles before his crucifixion, as described in the Gospel of John. Here, Christ washes the feet of his disciples in a gesture of humility and service, instructing them to do the same for one another. “So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet,” (NRSV, John 13:14) Jesus told his disciples, setting a precedent for generations to come.

In the Syro Malankara Catholic Church, as in many Christian denominations, this rite is more than a mere re-enactment; it is a profound embodiment of Christ’s teachings on servant leadership and love. The act of bishops and priests washing the feet of laity is a powerful testament to the Church’s commitment to these principles, transcending the boundaries of hierarchy to affirm the dignity and equality of all believers.

The ceremony also serves as a bridge between traditions, with Catholic and Orthodox churches sharing in the practice. This unity in observance highlights the universal nature of Christ’s message, reinforcing the bonds of fellowship among different Christian denominations.

The washing of feet is a reminder of our call to service, to love and care for one another as Christ loves us. In performing this act, we reaffirm our commitment to living out the Gospel in humility and compassion, following the example of our Lord.

The Syro Malankara Catholic Church, with its rich traditions and deep-rooted spirituality, continues to shine a light on the importance of community and service. Through ceremonies like the washing of feet, the Church not only recalls the foundational events of Christianity but also brings to life the enduring relevance of Christ’s teachings in the modern world.

As the faithful gathered to witness this act of humility and love, the message was clear: service to one another, performed with a humble heart, is at the core of the Christian faith. In a world often marked by division and strife, such acts of unconditional love and service hold the promise of healing and unity, echoing the eternal hope of the Gospel.