A small crowd gathered at St Peter's Parish of Wakatipu on Thursday night for Maundy Thursday Holy Communion and foot-washing.
The Rt Rev Dr David Coles told the parishioners that the night before Jesus died, he celebrated the passover as all Jews would have done on the Thursday, Friday being the eve of the Sabbath.
"He gathered with his disciples . . . and celebrated the Last Supper.
"They stood to have the meal to remind them of the time they fled out of Egypt [at night] . . . and they had a last meal."
At St Peter's, normal bread and a red wine from Mission Vineyards of Hawkes Bay was used for the Holy Communion, with the breaking of the bread considered a way of blessing, Dr Coles said.
"It's said . . . during supper he stripped off his undergarments, took a towel around his waist and invited the disciples to have their feet washed."
Dr Coles said the washing of the feet was the equivalent to people now washing their hands before dinner.
"They had come on foot, it would have been very hot and they were wearing leather sandals.
"Their feet would have been sweating [and the ground dusty].
"If you came for dinner, the first thing you would need to do is wash your feet.
"This is what Jesus did . . . he took the role of the slave that night; he was showing them a lesson in humility."
Dr Coles washed several parishioners' feet before his were washed by Michelle Liscom, of Queenstown.
Following that part of proceedings, the Holy Communion took place before Dr Coles led the parishioners in prayer.
Special mention was made of Queenstown's Mark Wilson who underwent neurosurgery in Dunedin Hospital on Wednesday.
Bit by bit the church was stripped of its adornments, in readiness for Good Friday services yesterday.
Several parishioners then sat in a darkened church and reflected on the significance of Maundy Thursday in accordance with the Bible.
• More than 150 people took part in the North Otago Combined Churches Good Friday Walk with the Cross in Oamaru yesterday.
The walk began by the band rotunda in the Oamaru Public Gardens, stopping at various points through the gardens for scripture readings.
The walk finished at the Elim Church in Severn St and a service was then held.
