Bishop Peter of Cleveland officiates washing of feet

(ROCOR-Chicago) - On Great and Holy Thursday following the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great, His Grace, Bishop Peter officiated the rite of the Washing of the Feet at the Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral in Chicago. This service is based on the reading of a short section of the Gospel according to St. John during which the officiating bishop, representing Christ, girds himself with a towel and washes the feet of His disciples, represented by twelve clergymen.

Serving on this day were V. Rev. Andrei Papkov of the cathedral; V. Rev. Matata Korchilava (Georgian Orthodox Church); V. Rev. Darko Spasojevic, dean of the Holy Resurrection Serbian cathedral in Chicago; V. Rev. Vasyl Kuzmych, rector of Holy Trinity church in Milwaukee; Rev. Radovan Jakovljevic of the Holy Resurrection Serbian cathedral in Chicago; Rev. Tarasiy Maximtsev, rector of St. Innocent of Moscow church in Carol Stream, IL; Rev. Sergi Alekseyev (Carpatho-Russian Orthodox church); Rev. Hieromonk Timothy of St. George Orthodox church in Michigan City, IN; Rev. Valery Vovkovski from the cathedral; V. Rev. Lazar Kostur (retired, Serbian Orthodox church); Rev. Leontiy Naidzions from the cathedral; and Rev. Miroslav Obretkovic (Serbian Orthodox church).

Attending the service were the children and teachers of the nearby St. Sava Academy who came following the Divine Liturgy at Holy Resurrection Serbian Cathedral to observe this unique service. Afterwards, His Grace Bishop Peter had a discussion with the pupils and answered their questions.