The night before he was crucified, Jesus spent several hours in the Garden of Gethsemane in anguished prayer. When his disciples fell asleep, he pled with them to stay awake and pray, asking, “Can you not watch with me one hour?” Remembering this, Christians have traditionally kept vigil throughout the night from Maundy Thursday into Good Friday. This vigil is a time to pray in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament and to watch and wait while contemplating the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross.
We invite you to make this devotion part of your Holy Week by signing up for an hour of prayer between 7:00 p.m., Thursday, March 28, and 12:00 p.m., Friday, March 29. Sign up for an hour (or more) by clicking the on-line reservation link or by calling the office at (740) 353-7919 during business hours.
About the Altar of Repose from An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church:
Altar of Repose
The Altar of Repose is an altar other than the main altar of the parish upon which the consecrated bread and wine from the Maundy Thursday Eucharist are reserved for communion on Good Friday. The altar of repose may be in a chapel or a room away from the church. It is usually decorated with candles and flowers. Members of the congregation may participate in a watch or vigil at the altar of repose from the conclusion of the Maundy Thursday service until the beginning of the Good Friday service.