St. Andrews Episcopal Church

781 Castle Hill Ave

Bronx, NY 10473

Phone: (718)863-2244   Fax:(718)863-2121

Enter to Worship, Leave to Serve

Celebrating the Triduum  

The three days, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday are known as the Triduum (from the Latin meaning three days). During this time the Christian community meets a number of times to celebrate Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection.

The Triduum begins with the liturgy of Maundy Thursday. In this solemn rite, we act out the meaning of the Eucharist. We wash each other’s feet recalling Jesus’ action of washing the feet of the disciples; the service concludes with the stripping of the altar. It is customary in some churches to keep an all night watch before the Blessed Sacrament.

We gather again on Good Friday to mediate on Jesus’ passion and death and to walk in the way of the cross. A special ritual of this day is the Veneration of the Cross. If communion is administered, it is from the Reserved Sacrament.

On Holy Saturday, we gather in the darkness and light a new fire and a great candle that will make this night bright for us. We listen to some of the most moving biblical passages and join with those to be baptized in renewing our own baptismal covenant. Together we celebrate the first Eucharist of Easter.

It is the primary responsible of the faithful during these sacred three days to gather for worship. As one writer aptly puts it, normally the responsibility of the faithful is to be the “church in the world.” During these three days, however, they are called to be the “church in church.” We are all encouraged to attend as many of these beautiful liturgies as possible. Whether you are young or old, active worshippers or not, please look closely at the schedule of services and make plans to be present.