The Last Supper

On the evening of Passover, Jesus gathered with His twelve disciples in an upper room for a special meal. During supper, Jesus got up from the table, wrapped a towel around His waist, and began washing His disciples' feet — the job of the lowest servant. When He came to Peter, Peter protested: "Lord, You should never wash my feet!" Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me." After washing their feet, He said, "I have set you an example — love one another as I have loved you."

Then Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying, "Take and eat — this is My body." He took the cup of wine, gave thanks, and passed it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you — this is My blood of the new covenant, poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in remembrance of Me."

With these words, Jesus instituted the Holy Eucharist — the greatest sacrament of the Church. Every Coptic Liturgy re-presents this sacred meal. We receive the Body and Blood of Christ, truly present in the bread and wine. This is the center of Coptic worship — and Jesus gave it to us on the night He was about to give His life.