Last Supper

A handmade icon made on natural wood with the use of traditional materials. Crafted with 22K gold leaves. Reproduction according to the museum print standards.

All the evangelists narrate the Last Supper, which took place on the first day of the Azymes (Unleavened Bread), in the week of the Passover. Mark and Luke also describe the location where it took place, and according to tradition, the mother of Mark the evangelist provided the upper floor of her house for the Supper.

Jesus knows that His earthly mission is coming to an end, just as he knows that the Pharisees are seeking to kill Him. As He prepares His disciples for the upcoming farewell, John the evangelist, "whom Jesus loved," falls on the Teacher's chest and asks which of them will betray Him. Jesus replies that the one who betrays Him is the one who dips his hand with Him in the dish. These two scenes, described in the Gospels, are often depicted in the paintings of the Last Supper.

During the Supper, the Son of God imparted to His disciples, who would later become the apostles, the sacrament of the Eucharist ("Take this bread and eat it. It is my body; Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood," Matthew 26:26-28). On that day, they were unable to comprehend the magnitude of the sacrament that was revealed to them, but through the boundless mercy of God, many days later, the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, would be sent to transform and sanctify their mission.