Maundy Thursday | |
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![]() The Mystical Supper, Russian Orthodox icon, 1497 | |
Also called | Holy Thursday Covenant Thursday Great and Holy Thursday Thursday of Mysteries Shere from the word shere (meaning "clean" or "bright") or Sheer Thursday |
Observed by | Christians |
Type | Christian/Civic |
Significance | Commemorates the Maundy and Last Supper of Jesus Christ |
Observances | Chrism Mass, Mass of the Lord's Supper, Washing of the feet, distribution of Maundy money |
Date | Easter − 3 days |
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Frequency | annual |
Related to | Holy Week and Easter |
Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday, among other names,[note 1] is the day during Holy Week that commemorates the Washing of the Feet (Maundy) and Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles, as described in the canonical gospels.[1]
It is the fifth day of Holy Week, preceded by Holy Wednesday (Spy Wednesday) and followed by Good Friday.[2] "Maundy" comes from the Latin word mandatum, or commandment, reflecting Jesus' words "I give you a new commandment."[3] The date of the day will vary according to whether the Gregorian calendar or the Julian calendar is used. Eastern churches generally use the Julian system.
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In the liturgies of the Three Days, the service for Maundy Thursday includes both, telling the story of Jesus' last supper and enacting the footwashing.
Holy Week, or Passion Week, the week which immediately precedes Easter, and is devoted especially to commemorate the passion of our Lord. The Days more especially solemnized during it are Spy Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday.