Q: A parishioner asked last evening about why we have an Altar of Repose after the Holy Thursday liturgy. Do you know the history of this? Was it always part of the Holy Thursday liturgy?
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A: The Gelasian Sacramentary (c. 750 AD) says that the Holy Thursday service concludes with communion followed by reservation of the eucharist. Altars of repose probably developed more intensely after that.
Even earlier, the pilgrim Egeria tells her visit to Rome in the fourth century. She says 200 candles accompanied the Holy Thursday procession to Gethsemane.
You can find more in my book Glory in the Cross.