Maundy Thursday: Stripping of the Altar with Deacon Dulas

Tradition holds that the altar and its area are stripped at the end of the Maundy Thursday service. Deacon Dulas provides the historic Lutheran rite for us.

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The Rite of Stripping of the Altar

The Service concludes with the Benedicamus, there is no Benediction, then the Celebrant chants the Antiphon and the first half of the first verse of Psalm 22, then the choir continues the chanting of the rest of the psalm.

The Celebrant, assisted by the Deacon and Subdeacon, strip the Altar. The communion vessels are removed first, followed by the altar cross, missal stand, altar candles, altar paraments, pulpit and lectern paraments, chancel candles and candle stands, chancel banners, chancel flowers, and any other items of liturgical use or adornment remaining in the chancel.

If the psalm ends before the stripping of the Altar is finished, the psalm is repeated until the stripping is finished.

When the stripping is finished, the verse of the psalm that the choir is chanting is completed, and then the Celebrant chants the closing antiphon.

Afterwards, everyone leaves in silence.

Antiphon, Psalm Tone 2
Chanted by the Celebrant

THEY DI- || vide My garments a- | mong | them, *
And for My clothing | they | cast | lots.

Psalm 22, Psalm Tone 2
Verse one is chanted responsively by the celebrant and congregation. The choir sings the remaining verses.

Celebrant:
MY GOD, || My God, why have You for- | sa-ken ∙ | Me? *
Congregation:
Why are You so far from helping Me, and from the words of | My | groan- | ing?

Choir:
|| O My God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not | hear; | - *
And in the night season, and am | not | si- | lent.

|| But You are | ho- | ly, *
Enthroned in the praises of | Is- | ra- | el.

|| Our fathers trusted in | You; | - *
They trusted, and You deliv- | er- | ed | them.

|| They cri-ed to You, and were de- | li-ver- ∙ | ed; *
They trusted in You, and were not | a- | sham- | ed.

|| But I am a worm, and no | man; | - *
A reproach of men, and despis-ed by | the | peo- | ple.

|| All those who see Me ridicule | Me; | - *
They shoot out the lip, they shake the | head, | say- | ing,

|| “He trust-ed in the Lord, let Him | res-cue ∙ | Him; *
Let Him deliver Him, since He de- | lights | in | Him!”

|| But You are He who took Me out of the | womb; | - *
You made Me trust while on My | mo- | ther’s | breasts.

|| I was cast upon You from | birth. | - *
From My mother’s womb You have | been | My | God.

|| Be not far from Me, for trouble is | near; | - *
For there is | none | to | help.

|| Many bulls have surrounded | Me; | - *
Strong bulls of Bashan have en- | cir- | cled | Me.

|| They gape at Me with their | mouths, | - *
Like a raging and roar- | ing | li- | on.

|| I am poured out like wa -ter, (+) and all My bones are out of | joint; | - *
My heart is like wax; It has melt-ed | with- | in | Me.

|| My strength is dried up like a pot -sherd, (+) and My tongue clings to My | jaws; | - *
You have brought Me to the | dust | of | death.

|| For dogs have surround-ed Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclos-ed | Me. | - *
They pierced My hands | and | My | feet;

|| I can count all My | bones. | - *
They look and | stare | at | Me.

|| They divide My garments a- | mong | them, *
And for My clothing | they | cast | lots.

|| But You, O Lord, do not be far from | Me; | - *
O My Strength, hasten | to | help | Me!

|| Deliver Me from the | sword, | - *
My precious life from the power | of | the | dog.

|| Save Me from the lion’s | mouth | - *
And from the horns of the wild oxen! You have | an- | swered | Me.

|| I will declare Your name to My | breth- | ren; *
In the midst of the assembly I | will | praise | You.

|| You who fear the Lord, praise Him! All you descendants of Jacob, glorify | Him, | - *
And fear Him, all you offspring of | Is- | ra- | el!

|| For He has not despise-ed nor abhor-red the affliction of the af- | flict- | ed; *
Nor has He hidden His face from Him; But when He cri-ed to | Him, | He | heard.

|| My praise shall be of You in the great as- | semb- | ly; *
I will pay My vows before those | who | fear | Him.

|| The poor shall eat and be satis- | fi- | ed; *
Those who seek Him will praise the Lord. Let your heart live | for- | ev- | er!

|| All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the | Lord,
| - *
And all the families of the nations shall worship | be- | fore | You.

|| For the kingdom is the | Lord’s, | - *
And He rules over | the | na- | tions.

|| All the prosperous of the earth shall eat and | wor- | ship; *
All those who go down to the dust shall bow before Him, even he who cannot keep him- | self | a- | live.

|| A posterity shall | serve | Him. *
It will be recount-ed of the Lord to the next gen- | er- | a- | tion,

|| They will come and declare His righteousness to a people who will be | born, | - *
That He | has | done | this.

There is no Gloria Patri. Repeat the Psalm as many times as necessary.

Antiphon, Psalm Tone 2
Chanted by the Celebrant

THEY DI- || vide My garments a- | mong | them, *
And for My clothing | they | cast | lots.

Silent Prayer

Leave in Silence

After everyone has left, and a convenient time before Good Friday services, the Altars are washed down with water by the clergy.

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Stripping of the Altar
with Antiphon and Psalm 22
chanted in Latin



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Antiphon and Psalm 22
chanted in Latin
with English translation



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Deacon Dulas is ordained into the pastorate and member of the Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America (eldona.org).  In his own words, "My call is to serve as deacon and missionary-at-large to MN and WI at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Tony, WI.  We are starting a mission here in Mayer, MN, and the surrounding area called St. Matthew Ev. Luth. Mission."

Like what you are reading? Check out Deacon Dulas' blog at The Deacon's Didache.

Maundy Thursday: Washing of Feet with Deacon Dulas, Part 3

The foot-washing ended, the Celebrant washes and dries his hands, saying nothing. The Celebrant then takes off the towel and then he, and the Deacon and Subdeacon all put back on their maniples, and the Celebrant his chasuble, and they proceed to the midst of the Altar.

The Celebrant then chants the Lord’s Prayer:

Editor's Note: The Lord's Prayer provided by Deacon Dulas is similar to that of LSB 957.  The prayer featured below is chanted to a different tone in Aramaic.

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Then the following Versicles are chanted by the Celebrant. The people chant the response:

V: And lead us not into temptation
R: But deliver us from evil.

V: Thou hast commanded Thy commandments, O Lord,
R: To be kept most diligently.

V: Thou hast washed the feet of Thy disciples.
R: Despise not the work of Thy hands.

The Celebrant chants the Collect:

V: The Lord be with you.
R: And with thy spirit.

V: Let us pray. Be present, O Lord, we beseech Thee, at the performance of our service: and since Thou didst vouchsafe to wash the feet of Thy disciples, despise not the work of Thy hands, which Thou hast commanded us to retain: that as here the outward stains are washed away by us and from us, so the inward sins of us all may be blotted out by Thee. Which do Thou vouchsafe to grant; Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.

The people respond, chanting:
R: Amen.

Following the prayer, the twelve men, after genuflecting to the Altar and bowing to the Celebrant are escorted back to their seats by the Deacon and Subdeacon.
While they are doing this, the chairs are removed, along with the table, water basin, ewer and towel by the acolytes, in preparation for the Holy Mass.

The Service continues with the Offertory.

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Deacon Dulas is ordained into the pastorate and member of the Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America (eldona.org).  In his own words, "My call is to serve as deacon and missionary-at-large to MN and WI at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Tony, WI.  We are starting a mission here in Mayer, MN, and the surrounding area called St. Matthew Ev. Luth. Mission."

Like what you are reading? Check out Deacon Dulas' blog at The Deacon's Didache.

Maundy Thursday: Washing of Feet with Deacon Dulas, Part 2

The rite continues with the next Antiphon.

Antiphon 4, Psalm Tone 5: St. John 13:6-7, 8

“LORD, ARE || You washing my feet?” Jesus | an-swered ∙ | him, *
“If I do not wash you, you have | no | part | with | Me.”

THEN HE || came to Simon | Pe- | ter. *
And Pe-| ter | said | to | Him,

“LORD, ARE || You washing my feet?” Jesus | an-swered ∙ | him, *
“If I do not wash you, you have | no | part | with | Me.”

“WHAT I || am doing you do not understand | now, | - *
but you will | know | af- | ter | this.”

“LORD, ARE || You washing my feet?” Jesus | an-swered ∙ | him, *
“If I do not wash you, you have | no | part | with | Me.”

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Antiphon 5, Psalm Tone 4: St. John 13:14; Psalm 49:1

IF I - || then, your Lord and Teacher, | have | washed | your | feet, *
you also ought to wash | one | a- | no- | ther’s | feet.

HEAR THIS, - | - | all | — | peo- | ples; *
Give ear, all inhab- | i- | tants | of | the | world,

IF I - || then, your Lord and Teacher, | have | washed | your | feet, *
you also ought to wash | one | a- | no- | ther’s | feet.

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Antiphon 6, Psalm Tone 7: St. John 13:35

“BY - THIS - || all will know that you are | My - | dis- | ci- |
ples, - *
if you have love for | one | a- | no- | ther.” -

JE- - SUS - || - | said - | — | — | — - *
to | His | dis- | ci- | ples, -

“BY - THIS - || all will know that you are | My - | dis- | ci- |
ples, - *
if you have love for | one | a- | no- | ther.” -

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Antiphon 7, Psalm Tone 7: 1 Corinthians 13:13

LET – THERE - || abide in you faith, | hope, - | love, | these | three; - *
but the greatest | of | these | is | love. -

AND - NOW - || abide faith, | hope, - | love, | these | three; - *
but the greatest | of | these | is | love. -

LET – THERE - || abide in you faith, | hope, - | love, | these | three; - *
but the greatest | of | these | is | love. -

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Antiphon 8, Psalm Tone 6: Liturgical Text

WHERE CHAR- - || ity and | love | are | found, *
there | God | ev- - | er | is.

THE LOVE - || of Christ has joined us into one. Let us rejoice and be | glad | in | Him. *
Let us fear and let us love the Living God. Let us love one another in sincer- | i- | ty - | of | heart.

WHERE CHAR- - || ity and | love | are | found, *
there | God | ev- - | er | is.

WHEN, THERE- - || fore, we are joined together: Let us not be divided | in | spi- | rit. *
Let all malicious wrangling and contentions cease. And let Christ our God be in | the | midst - | of | us.

WHERE CHAR- - || ity and | love | are | found, *
there | God | ev- - | er | is.

SO MAY - || we with the saints see forever in glory the light of Your countenance, O | Christ | our | God. *
Joy that is infinite and undefil-ed forever and | ev- | er. - | A- | men.

Editor's Note: Here is the Maurice Duruflé setting of Antiphon 8. In Latin, it is called Ubi Caritas. Other settings are also available, including the metered version in LSB (Hymn 845).



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Deacon Dulas is ordained into the pastorate and member of the Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America (eldona.org).  In his own words, "My call is to serve as deacon and missionary-at-large to MN and WI at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Tony, WI.  We are starting a mission here in Mayer, MN, and the surrounding area called St. Matthew Ev. Luth. Mission."

Like what you are reading? Check out Deacon Dulas' blog at The Deacon's Didache.

Maundy Thursday: Washing of Feet with Deacon Dulas, Part 1

All for Hymn friend Deacon Jerry Dulas has provided the Rite of Foot-Washing that will be done at his parish.

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The Rite of Foot-Washing for Maundy Thursday

The Rite of Foot-washing takes place following the sermon.

Before the service, twelve chairs, or two small benches, are placed in front of the chancel, six on a side, facing each other. Next to these is placed a small table covered with a white linen, large enough to hold a water basin, ewer, and towel.

After the sermon, the Celebrant, Deacon, and Subdeacon, having reverenced the Altar, remove their maniples, and the Celebrant also removes his chasuble. He goes to the sedilia and waits for the Deacon and Subdeacon to direct the ones to receive the foot-washing to their places.

Twelve men, chosen from the congregation, dressed in albs and barefoot, are directed by the Deacon and Subdeacon to approach the chancel two at a time. Genuflecting to the Altar, and bowing to the Celebrant at his sedilia, they take their seats in the chairs prepared for them. Meanwhile, the choir begins to chant the Antiphons recorded below.

When all take their places, the Celebrant goes to middle of the chancel, bows to the Altar, then he goes to the table and wraps the towel around his waist. With the assistance of the Deacon and Subdeacon he washes the feet of each man in the following manner:

The Celebrant kneels before each man, then the Subdeacon lifts the right foot of the one who is to be washed. Two acolytes assist with the water basin and ewer, one places the water basin under the foot, and the other hands the ewer to the Celebrant who washes the foot. The Deacon then hands the towel to the Celebrant, who dries the foot.

When the foot-washing draws to a close, the eighth antiphon is started. If the foot washing finishes before all the antiphons are sung, the ones preceding the eighth antiphon are omitted. The eighth antiphon is always sung. If all antiphons have been sung, and the foot-washing is still going on, the antiphons are repeated from the first one, until the foot-washing completes, then the eighth antiphon concludes the rite, as stated above.

Antiphon 1, Psalm Tone 3: St. John 13:34; Psalm 119:1

A NEW || commandment I give to you, that you love | one | a- | no- - | ther; *
as I have loved you, that you also love one | a- | no- | ther. -

BLESS- ED || are the undefil- | ed | in | the - | way, *
Who walk in the law | of | the | Lord! -

A NEW || commandment I give to you, that you love | one | a- | no- - | ther; *
as I have loved you, that you also love one | a- | no- | ther. -

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Antiphon 2, Psalm Tone 4: St. John 13:4-5, 15; Psalm 48:1

AF- TER -- || supper, our Lord rose, poured water in- | to | a | ba- | sin, *
and began to wash the disciples’ feet. This ex- | am- | ple | He | left | them.

GREAT IS -- || the Lord, and greatly | to | be | prais- | ed *
In the city of our God, in | His | ho- | ly | moun- | tain.

AF- TER -- || supper, our Lord rose, poured water in- | to | a | ba- | sin, *
and began to wash the disciples’ feet. This ex- | am- | ple | He | left | them.

V: Lord, hear my prayer.
R: And let my cry come unto Thee.

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Antiphon 3, Psalm Tone 2: St. John 13:12-13, 15; Psalm 85:1

THE LORD || Jesus, after He had supped with His disciples, and washed their | feet, | - *
He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you, Your Teacher and Lord? I have given you an example, that you should do as I have | done | to | you.”

LORD, YOU || have been favorable to Your | land; | - *
You have brought back the captivity | of | Ja- | cob.

THE LORD || Jesus, after He had supped with His disciples, and washed their | feet, | - *
He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you, Your Teacher and Lord? I have given you an example, that you should do as I have | done | to | you.”

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Here is the Rite of Foot-Washing in a Romanian Orthodox Church. I was unable to locate a Lutheran Rite. The video begins with the celebrant wrapping the towel around his waist.

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Deacon Dulas is ordained into the pastorate and member of the Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America (eldona.org).  In his own words, "My call is to serve as deacon and missionary-at-large to MN and WI at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Tony, WI.  We are starting a mission here in Mayer, MN, and the surrounding area called St. Matthew Ev. Luth. Mission."

Like what you are reading? Check out Deacon Dulas' blog at The Deacon's Didache.

Maundy Thursday: St. Matthew's Passion, Parts 67 and 68

Parts 67 and 68 close out Bach's St. Matthew's Passion. Later today All for Hymn will focus on the events of Maundy Thursday.

The Passion according to St. Matthew
set to music by Johann Sebastian Bach
Parts 67 and 68



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For the complete text in German, click here.

For the complete text in English, click here.

Maundy Thursday: St. Matthew's Passion, Parts 65 and 66

At the conclusion of St. Matthew's Passion, today's posts will focus on the events of Maundy Thursday.

The Passion according to St. Matthew
set to music by Johann Sebastian Bach
Parts 65 and 66



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For the complete text in German, click here.

For the complete text in English, click here.