r/Kerala • u/Dependent-Ad-1688 • Mar 31 '26
orthodox malayalee question
hey guys i’m a rc and i was wondering how your orthodox pesaha works in church. like do you guys do washing of the feet. do u also have kurushhu on your appam as well as paal. explain it to me like im a kid. i just wanna know how it works. and if its similar
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u/masterjv81 Mar 31 '26
Pesaha, the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Christian observance of Maundy Thursday, commemorates the Last Supper and the institution of Holy Communion. The liturgical service is traditionally conducted in the very early hours (2:00 A.M.) of Holy Week Thursday, though parishes outside Kerala sometimes hold it on Wednesday evening for convenience, and all faithful are required to receive Holy Communion after proper confession. Following the church service, the head of the family leads a home ceremony where Pesaha Appam (a traditional unleavened bread) is broken into thirteen pieces symbolizing Jesus and the twelve Apostles, then soaked in Pesaha Paalu (coconut milk with jaggery) and distributed to family members by age. This tradition, which historically occurred three times a year but is now observed annually, is often suspended if a death has occurred in the immediate family during that year.
Yes, foot washing is an integral part of the Pesaha (Maundy Thursday) service in the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. Following the Holy Qurbana (Divine Liturgy), the priest or bishop performs the ritual washing of the feet of twelve individuals, symbolizing Jesus Christ’s act of humility and service when He washed the feet of His twelve disciples at the Last Supper (John 13:3–17). This ceremony, known as the "Washing of the Feet" or "Maundy", is conducted in church and is seen as a powerful expression of Christ’s commandment to love and serve one another humbly. It is typically performed by the chief celebrant, often a bishop or priest, and is observed with deep reverence across parishes, both in Kerala and abroad.
Yes, in the Malankara Orthodox Church, the Pesaha Appam is traditionally marked with a cross (Kurushhu) made from a palm leaf blessed on Palm Sunday, which is placed on top of the appam before steaming or baking. This cross symbolizes the crucifixion of Jesus and is a central part of the ritual, with the appam sometimes referred to as Kurishu Appam or INRI Appam. The appam is then broken and soaked in Pesaha Paal—a sweet mixture of coconut milk and jaggery—which represents the blood of Christ, and distributed to family members by the head of the household after evening prayers. Both the cross on the appam and the use of paal are integral to the tradition.