Maundy Thursday 2012
The Thursday of Holy Week marks the commemoration of the Last Supper and the institution of Holy Communion.
In preparation for the rituals of this most special night, the High Altar candles are removed, leaving the veiled Great Crucifix unadorned.
Twelve chairs flank the Nave Altar, in preparation for the ceremony of washing of the feet.
The Lady Altar is decked with greenery to represent the Garden of Gethsemane, and by the evening candles are in place.
At the climax of the service, the congregation, choir and servers gather round the Nave Altar to recall the events of the Last Supper.
When the church lights are lowered, the choir sing an anthem while the rest of us process to the Lady Chapel.
Here the final act recalls Christ's hours in the garden before he is betrayed to his forthcoming death.
While the church is stripped of all adornments, we watch in the darkness until midnight, lit only by the candles in the chapel.