THE Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, will wash the feet of 12 members of the congregation at the Maundy Thursday evening service in the Cathedral.

It is thought to be the first time an Archbishop has performed the foot washing ceremony, a symbolic gesture of humility.

Dr Williams is spending Holy Week in the Canterbury Diocese after returning from the Middle East.

The symbolic ceremony takes place during the 7.30pm Sung Eucharist on Thursday. The Dean of Canterbury, the Very Rev Robert Willis, said Maundy Thursday was the day of the year Jesus washed the feet of his Disciples at the Last Supper.

Twelve members of the worshipping congregation, young and old, would be chosen to have their feet washed by Dr Williams, he said.

From noon on Good Friday the Archbishop will attend the Three Hour Devotion Act in the Cathedral and on Easter Saturday he will preside at the Easter Vigil Ceremonies and the First Eucharist of Easter at 11pm.

On Easter Sunday Dr Williams will preach and preside at the Easter service in the Cathedral at 11am. Like the others, the service is open to all but people are being advised to arrive early to guarantee themselves a place.

The Archbishop will also be guest speaker at the annual youth pilgrimage in the Cathedral on Easter Monday, which will be attended by about 900 young people from across Kent.