On Great Wednesday, April 27, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York and Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan, co-served by cathedral clergy, celebrated this year’s final Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Great Wednesday, the Church commemorates the sinful woman who anointed the feet of the Savior with tears and precious myrrh while He dined in the house of Simon the Leper in Bethany, thereby preparing Christ for His burial. That same day, Judas decided to betray Christ to the Jewish elders for 30 pieces of silver.

At the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts on Great Wednesday, the hierarchs pronounced for the last time the prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian. Over the first three days of Passion Week – the only time during the year – all four Gospels were read (the first three in their entirety) in the Synodal Cathedral.

That evening, Matins was served in the cathedral. Beginning Great Wednesday evening, Orthodox Christians have now begun walking the sorrowful path alongside the Lord: the betrayal of Judas, His crucifixion and, finally, the glorious conclusion of the path: His Resurrection.