Lent 2019 - The Scripture Class held a Seder Meal ~ Photos by Rita Hatchett and Connie Hom, Article by Rita Hatchett

This year, the Scripture class is studying the Book of Exodus.  One of the three feasts that are to be held each year according to Exodus is Passover. God instituted a commemorative meal: fire-roasted lamb, bitter herbs and unleavened bread (Ex.12:8).  The Lord told the Israelites to "observe this rite as a statute for you and for your sons forever." (Ex.12:24 ESV), even when in a foreign land.  

Then God passed over the Israelites who painted their door with the blood of a lamb during the 10th plague on Egypt, the death of the firstborn of man and beast.  This is a commemoration of their liberation by God from slavery in ancient Egypt and their freedom as a nation under the leadership of Moses.

Jim Weinberg and wife, Rosanne Bocciarelli officiated at the Seder.

This decorative pocket holds the Matazo; the candles are lit by the mother.  The Seder plate has an egg which represents the cycle of life, the lamb shank bone serves as a visual reminder of the sacrifice that the Israelites offered immediately before leaving Egypt and that Jews continued to offer until the destruction of the Temple around 70 AD.

On our plates were samples of the main Seder plate minus the lamb shank and egg.  A piece of Matzo, the unleavened bread, a sweet mix of fruits, wine or honey, and nuts symbolized the mortar that the Israelite slaves used to construct buildings for Pharaoh.  Ten drops of wine are dropped on the plate representing the 10 plagues on Egypt.  Parsley, the second bitter herb, represents the bitterness of slavery.  Beet horseradish allow us to taste the bitterness of slavery.  Each item is eaten during different parts of the Seder. 

Jim led the readings and prayers and we responded.  Upper Left, Karen Carter.  Not pictured, Connie Hom.

Kathleen Berry, Frances Pope and Dorothy Mitchell

Debbie Bosseusi, Donna Gorman and Jane DeBernardo.  Debbie won the prize for the hidden Piece of Matzo, which is a game for the children at the end of the Seder.

This is the book used during the Seder and is called the Haggadah.  Notice the spine of the book.  It is read back to front.  Instead of 4 cups of wine (Ex. 6:6-7) representing where the four different terms of deliverance are employed, we took 4 sips.  There is a 5th cup at the head of the table set out for the Prophet Elisha who never died but went up to heaven in a fiery chariot (2 Kgs. 2:11).  During the Seder readings, the door is opened and closed for him.  Elisha is for Jewish people who Jesus is for Christians.

Carolyn and Buzzy Lawler, Marie Masse, Edie Gorman, Rosaria Corstanza, Phyllis Booth and Bob Cohn.

The small bowls of salty water represent the tears of the Israelite slaves.  The bitter herbs (parsley) are dipped into it and then eaten.

At the near end of the table: Rita Hatchett, Cassandra and Walker Bland.  There was a Question and Answer period which lasted 1 1/2 hours.  The time went so quickly.  We all wished we had more time before the real food came out.  Rosanne and Jim were fantastic and we were grateful to have them share this with us.


~ Article by Rita Hatchett

~ Photos by Rita Hatchett and Connie Hom

Holy Thursday 2019 - Mass of the Lord's Supper - Footwashing and Adoration, 4.18. 2019 ~ Photos by Janet Stern

Footwashing

Adoration

~ Photos by Janet Stern

Holy Thursday 2019 ~ A Williamsburg family visiting St. Elizabeth on Pilgrimage ~ Photo by Janet Stern

When Janet Stern arrived at St. E's Thursday morning to open the church, she found this Williamsburg family, just arrived, who were on a pilgrimage to Richmond to visit seven Catholic churches on Holy Thursday.  They were observing an ancient Catholic tradition described below.

**************************

"The tradition of visiting seven churches on Holy Thursday probably originated in Rome, as early pilgrims visited the seven basilicas as penance.

The Via Francigena was an ancient pilgrim route between England and Rome.  It was customary to end the pilgrimage with a visit to the tombs of Sts. Peter and Paul.

In 1300, Pope Boniface VIII declared the first Holy Year, granting a special indulgence to those, who meeting the requisite conditions, visited St. Peter's Basilica and the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls.  Over time the number of prescribed churches increased to seven.

The tradition of visiting all seven churches was started by Saint Pilip Neri around 1553.  He and a few friends would gather before dawn and set out on their "Seven Churches Walk.

These pilgrimages were designed to be a counterpoint to the raucous behavior of
Carnival.  The Walks became very popular and began to attract others." *


* Wikipedia

Palm Sunday 2019 - Reading of the Passion ~ Photo by Janet Stern

Palm Sunday, 4.14.19 - Reading of the Passion

~ Photo by Janet Stern

The Easter Vigil at St. E's - Holy Saturday 2018 ~ Photos by Tim Timmons

~ Photos by Tim Timmons

Good Friday 2018 at St. E's ~ Photos by Lula Lamb

The empty altar

~ Photos by Lula Lamb

Holy Week 2018 - Good Friday - Stations of the Cross ~ Photos by EJCooley

~ Photos by EJCooley

Holy Thursday Service at St. E's - 2018 ~ Photos by EJCooley

Holy Thursday Footwashing and Adoration

~ Photos by EJCooley

2018 Chrism Mass at the Cathedral, Monday 2.26.2018 ~ Photos by Connie Hom

~ Photos by Connie Hom