is a place of ministry in Christ’s name. In its urban setting, St. Paul’s lives to heal the broken, bring hope to the despairing, be a place of warm fellowship and reconcile the difficult issues which are so much a part of city life. The parish understands itself as a servant church, the human face of God. Service to others is strengthened by the Breaking of Bread, the preaching of the Word and the Prayers of the People—all pointing toward Jesus, the Word made flesh, who dwells with his joyous Community until the end of time.

In the life of the Jewish people, Passover became the festival of freedom and redemption par excellence. It served to give people hope in the face of physical and spiritual oppression, highlighting God’s acts of liberation and redemption. As a family celebration, the Passover served as a unifying bond from generation to generation.

The cattle and the doves were a necessity for the prescribed sacrifices, but to make of the great court a stockyard was the height of abuse. The little banks were also necessary, for a tax was taken from every Israelite who was twenty years old, Exod. 30:11–16. This tax was collected during the month preceding the Passover and was either sent in by those at a distance or paid in person by those attending, who then, however, had to have Jewish coin, compelling all who came from foreign parts to have their money changed. For this a small rate was charged. A κερματιστής (from κέρμα, that which is cut off, i.e., a small coin) is one who deals in coins; and καθημένους describes these bankers “sitting” crosslegged behind low stool-like τράπεζαι on which their stacks of coins were ranged—open for business.