Editing Maundy Thursday

{{Short description|Christian holiday commemorating the Last Supper}}
{{Redirect|Holy Thursday}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}}
{{Infobox holiday
|holiday_name = Maundy Thursday
|type = Christian
|longtype = [[Christianity|Christian]]/[[Civic holiday|Civic]]
|image = Icon last supper.jpg
|caption = ''The Mystical Supper'',<br> Russian Orthodox [[icon]], 1497
|nickname = Holy Thursday<br />Covenant Thursday<br />Great and Holy Thursday<br />Thursday of Mysteries<br />Shere from the word shere (meaning "clean" or "bright") or Sheer Thursday
|observedby = Christians
|date{{LASTYEAR}} = {{Unbulleted list 
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  | {{Moveable date |holiday=Maundy Thursday (Eastern) |format=infobox |year={{LASTYEAR}}}} (Eastern) }}
|date{{CURRENTYEAR}} = {{Unbulleted list 
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  | {{Moveable date |holiday=Maundy Thursday (Eastern) |format=infobox |year={{CURRENTYEAR}}}} (Eastern) }}
|date{{NEXTYEAR}} = {{Unbulleted list 
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|observances = [[Chrism Mass]], [[Mass of the Lord's Supper]], [[Washing of the feet]], distribution of [[Maundy money]]
|significance = Commemorates the [[Maundy (foot washing)|Maundy]] and [[Last Supper]] of [[Jesus Christ]]
|relatedto = [[Holy Week]] and [[Easter]]
|frequency = annual
|duration = 1 day
|alt=|official_name=|litcolor=|celebrations=|begins=|ends=|date=|weekday=|month=|scheduling=|firsttime=|startedby=}}
'''Maundy Thursday''', also referred to as '''Holy Thursday''', or '''Thursday of the Lord's Supper''', among other names,<ref group="note">The day is also known as '''Great and Holy Thursday''', '''Holy and Great Thursday''', '''Covenant Thursday''', '''Sheer Thursday''', and '''Thursday of Mysteries'''.</ref> is a [[Christianity|Christian]] feast during [[Holy Week]] that marks the beginning of the [[Paschal Triduum]], and commemorates the [[Washing of the Feet]] (Maundy) and [[Last Supper]] of [[Jesus Christ]] with [[Apostles in the New Testament|the Apostles]], as described in the [[canonical gospels]].<ref name=Story>{{cite book|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=Tbb9axN6qFwC&pg=PA33 |title = Three Day Feast: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter|publisher= Augsburg Books |first= Gail  |last= Ramshaw|quote=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.|year=2004|isbn = 9781451408164|access-date = 11 April 2009}}</ref>

It is the fifth day of [[Holy Week]], preceded by [[Holy Wednesday]] (Spy Wednesday) and followed by [[Good Friday]].<ref>{{cite book|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=uZFRAAAAYAAJ&pg=PT125 |title = New century reference library of the world's most important knowledge: complete, thorough, practical, Volume 3 |publisher=Syndicate Pub. Co.|first= Leonard   |last= Stuart|quote=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.|year=1909|access-date = 11 April 2009}}</ref> "Maundy" comes from the Latin word {{Lang|la|mandatum}}, or commandment, reflecting Jesus' words "I give you a new commandment."<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.etymonline.com/word/Maundy%20Thursday#etymonline_v_12450 | title = Maundy Thursday | work = Online Etymology Dictionary}}</ref>  
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.

== Names ==

Use of the names "Maundy Thursday", "Holy Thursday", and others is not evenly distributed. The generally accepted name for the day varies according to geographical area and religious affiliation. Thus, although in England "Maundy Thursday" is the normal term, the term "Holy Thursday" is more commonly used in Ireland, Scotland, Canada and the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-14 |title=Maundy Thursday 2022 Messages, Quotes & Bible Verses: Send Jesus Christ Wallpapers, HD Images, Holy Thursday Pics, Telegram Photos & Sayings on the Day Before Good Friday {{!}} 🙏🏻 LatestLY |url=https://www.latestly.com/lifestyle/festivals-events/maundy-thursday-2022-messages-quotes-bible-verses-send-jesus-christ-wallpapers-hd-images-holy-thursday-pics-telegram-photos-sayings-on-the-day-before-good-friday-3579279.html |access-date=2023-03-15 |website=LatestLY |language=en}}</ref> The latter is the official name used in English by the [[Catholic Church]] in England and Wales.<ref name="GIRM" />

The ''[[Book of Common Prayer]]'' of the [[Church of England]], which is the mother Church of the [[Anglican Communion]], uses the name "Maundy Thursday" for this observance.<ref name=Table>{{cite web|url=http://www.churchofengland.org/media/877842/5-table-vigils-fasts.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512224042/http://www.churchofengland.org/media/877842/5-table-vigils-fasts.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 May 2014|title=A Table of the Vigils, Fasts and Days of Abstinence to be observed in the year|publisher=[[Church of England]]|language=en|access-date=21 March 2016}}</ref> The corresponding publication of the [[United States|US]] [[Episcopal Church (United States)|Episcopal Church]], which is another province of the Anglican Communion, also refers to the Thursday before Easter as "Maundy Thursday".<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.episcopalchurch.org/sites/default/files/downloads/book_of_common_prayer.pdf | title = The Calendar of the Church Year | page = 17}}</ref> Throughout the Anglican Communion, the term "Holy Thursday" is a synonym for [[Feast of the Ascension|Ascension Day]].<ref name=Table/><ref name=Forster>{{Cite book|url = https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_F2K4iE_VTC0C|page = [https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_F2K4iE_VTC0C/page/n402 377]|title = Circle of the Seasons, and Perpetual key to the Calendar and Almanack|publisher =[[Oxford University Press]]|author=Thomas Ignatius M. Forster|year=1828|quote=Holy Thursday or Ascension Day. Festum Ascensionis. Le Jeudi Saint d' Ascension.|access-date = 1 April 2012}}</ref><ref name=Soane>{{Cite book|url = https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_6V4vAD0m57sC|page = [https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_6V4vAD0m57sC/page/n302 275]|title = New Curiosities of Literature and Book of the Months|publisher =Churton|author=George Soane|author-link=George Soane|year=1847|quote=Ascension Day, or Holy Thursday. This, as the name implies, is the anniversary of Christ's Ascension.|access-date = 1 April 2012}}</ref>

The [[Roman Rite]] of the [[Catholic Church]] uses the name "Holy Thursday" in its modern English-language liturgical books.<ref name="GIRM">{{cite web|url = http://www.liturgyoffice.org.uk/Resources/GIRM/Documents/GIRM.pdf| title = General Instruction of the Roman Missal, with adaptations for England and Wales|publisher = Catholic Bishops' Conference of England & Wales|access-date = 11 April 2009}}</ref> The Latin books use the name {{Lang|la|Feria quinta in Cena Domini}} ("Thursday of the Supper of the Lord"; the [[medieval Latin|medieval]] spelling ''[[wikt:coena#Latin|Cœna]]'' was used in place of ''[[wikt:cena#Latin|Cena]]'' in documents predating the 1955 decree [[Liturgical reforms of Pope Pius XII|Maxima redemptionis]]), along with Maundy Thursday as the English name, as given in ''The Saint Andrew Daily Missal''.<ref name="Lefebvre1999">{{cite book |last1=Lefebvre |first1=Dom Gaspare |title=The Saint Andrew Daily Missal |date=1999 |publisher=St. Bonaventure Publications |pages=532–533 |language=English}}</ref> The [[personal ordinariate]]s in the Catholic Church, which have an Anglican patrimony, retain the traditional English term "Maundy Thursday", however.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ordinariate.org.uk/cmsAdmin/uploads/holy-week-and-easter-with-the-ordinariate-in-london_001.pdf|title=Holy Week and Easter with the Ordinariate in London|year=2014|publisher=[[Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham]]|language=en|access-date=21 March 2016}}</ref> An article in the 1911 ''[[Catholic Encyclopedia]]'' used the term "Maundy Thursday",<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10068a.htm|title=Maundy Thursday (Holy Thursday)|year=2009|encyclopedia=Catholic Encyclopedia|publisher=New Advent|access-date=5 April 2014}}</ref> and some Catholic writers use the same term either primarily,<ref name="Authors2008">{{cite book|title=Mariology: A Guide for Priests, Deacons, Seminarians, and Consecrated Persons|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ez0VRbQi1i4C&pg=PA659|access-date=5 April 2014|year=2008|publisher=Mark I. Miravalle, S.T.D.|isbn=978-1579183554|page=659|quote=The season of Lent prepares the Church for the celebration of the Paschal Mystery during the sacred Triduum of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday.}}</ref> or alternatively.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ncregister.com/blog/jimmy-akin/10-things-you-need-to-know-about-holy-thursday|title=10 things you need to know about Holy Thursday|last=Akin|first=Jimmy|date=27 March 2013|newspaper=National Catholic Register|access-date=5 April 2014|quote=Holy Thursday is thus sometimes called Maundy Thursday because it was on this day that Christ gave us the new commandment{{snd}}the new mandate{{snd}}to love one another as he loves us.}}</ref>

The Methodist ''[[Book of Worship for Church and Home (1965)|Book of Worship for Church and Home]]'' (1965) uses the term "Maundy Thursday";<ref name="BOW1964">{{cite book|title=The Book of Worship for Church and Home: With Orders of Worship, Services for the Administration of the Sacraments and Other Aids to Worship According to the Usages of the Methodist Church|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ckw6vgAACAAJ|access-date=25 March 2017|year=1964|publisher=Methodist Publishing House|language=en |pages=102}}</ref> the ''[[The United Methodist Book of Worship (1992)|Book of Worship]]'' (1992) uses the term "Holy Thursday",<ref name="UMBW">{{cite web|url = http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=8893&loc_id=733| title = United Methodist Book of Worship: Scripture Readings listed according to the Books of the Bible |publisher = General Board of Discipleship, The United Methodist Church|access-date = 11 April 2009}}</ref> and other official sources of the [[United Methodist Church]] use both "Maundy Thursday"<ref name="UMC GBOD-Maundy Thursday">{{cite web|url = http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=1850&loc_id=1,32,49| title = Holy Week Service for Midweek, Maundy Thursday, or Good Friday|publisher = United Methodist Church |access-date = 5 April 2009}}</ref> and "Holy Thursday".<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.gbod.org/worship/preaching/articles.asp?act=reader&item_id=7701&loc_id=1,32,49|title = Preaching Helps for Holy Thursday, Year B (April 17, 2003)|publisher = United Methodist Church|access-date = 13 April 2009|archive-date = 16 April 2009|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090416201748/http://www.gbod.org/worship/preaching/articles.asp?act=reader&item_id=7701&loc_id=1,32,49|url-status = dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.gbod.org/worship/worship/articles.asp?act=reader&item_id=10486&loc_id=9,32,49,975|title = Worship Planning Helps for Holy Thursday (April 8, 2004)|publisher = United Methodist Church|access-date = 13 April 2009|archive-date = 16 April 2009|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090416201806/http://www.gbod.org/worship/worship/articles.asp?act=reader&item_id=10486&loc_id=9,32,49,975|url-status = dead}}</ref>

Both names are used by other [[Christian denominations]] as well, including the [[Lutheranism|Lutheran Church]],<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.historictrinity.org/maundythursday.html|title = Maundy Thursday|publisher = Historic Trinity Lutheran Church, Detroit|access-date = 11 April 2009|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090219215450/http://historictrinity.org/maundythursday.html|archive-date = 19 February 2009|url-status = dead|df = dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.thelutheran.org/article/article_buy.cfm?article_id=7022 |title = Counting. A little history of how '40 Days of Lent' came to be |publisher = The Lutheran, the magazine of the [[Evangelical Lutheran Church in America]] |access-date = 11 April 2009 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090417163128/http://www.thelutheran.org/article/article_buy.cfm?article_id=7022 |archive-date = 17 April 2009 |df = dmy-all }}</ref> and certain [[Reformed Church]]es.<ref name="RCA-Maundy Thursday">{{cite web|url = http://www.rca.org/Page.aspx?pid=2615| title = Maundy Thursday|publisher = Reformed Church in America (RCA)|access-date = 11 April 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.reformatus.us/liturgy/hungarian-reformed-church-calendar-2009-year-of-the-reformer-john-calvin/ | title = Calendar 2009 Year of the Reformer John Calvin|publisher = The Hungarian Reformed Church in the US and Diaspora|access-date = 11 April 2009}}</ref><ref name="Calendar">{{cite web|url = http://suydamstreetreformedchurch.org/calander_mar2008|title = Calendar|publisher = Suydam Street Reformed Church|access-date = 11 April 2009|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110511025137/http://suydamstreetreformedchurch.org/calander_mar2008|archive-date = 11 May 2011|df = dmy-all}}</ref> Certain [[Presbyterian Church]]es use the term "Maundy Thursday" to refer to the holy day in their official sources.<ref name="Calendar"/><ref>{{cite book|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=XFuxHoWQKsEC&q=Maundy+Thursday+Presbyterian&pg=PA75| title = The Presbyterian Handbook|publisher = [[Geneva Press]]|access-date = 1 April 2012|quote=These days (approximately three 24-hour periods) begin on Maundy Thursday evening and conclude on Easter evening. On Maundy Thursday we hear the story of Jesus' last meal with his disciples and his act of service and love in washing their feet.|year=2006|page=75| isbn = 9780664502881}}</ref>

In the [[Byzantine Rite]] the name for the holy day is "Great and Holy Thursday"<ref name="EOC-Name">{{cite web|url = http://lent.goarch.org/holy_thursday/learn/| title = Great and Holy Thursday|publisher = Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America|access-date = 5 April 2009}}</ref> or "Holy Thursday",<ref name="McKinney">{{cite web|url = http://www.orthodox.net/greatlent/| title = Great Lent: Theology, Homilies, Services, Resources |publisher = St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, McKinney (Dallas area) Texas |access-date = 12 April 2009}}</ref><ref name="Metropolitan Philip">{{cite web|url = http://www.antiochian.org/midwest/Articles/Development_of_Holy_Week_Services.htm|title = The Historical Development of Holy Week Services in the Orthodox/Byzantine Rite|publisher = Antiochan Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America|access-date = 12 April 2009|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111026185059/http://www.antiochian.org/midwest/Articles/Development_of_Holy_Week_Services.htm|archive-date = 26 October 2011|url-status = dead|df = dmy-all}}</ref> and in [[Western Rite Orthodoxy]] "Maundy Thursday",<ref name="Western Orthodox-Maundy">{{cite web|url = http://www.westernorthodox.com/stmark/bulletin/bulletin_040509.PDF|title = Saint Mark's Church: An Antiochian Orthodox Parish in the Western Rite Tradition|publisher = Western Orthodox|access-date = 11 April 2009|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110511025200/http://www.westernorthodox.com/stmark/bulletin/bulletin_040509.PDF|archive-date = 11 May 2011|df = dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="Western Orthodox CA-Maundy">{{cite web|url = http://www.westernorthodox.ca/files/Christminster_Calendar_2009_2.pdf|title = Oratory of Our Lady of Glastonbury: Western Rite Orthodox Outreach to Southern Ontario|publisher = Oratory of Our Lady of Glastonbury|access-date = 11 April 2009|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200830231130/http://www.westernorthodox.ca/files/Christminster_Calendar_2009_2.pdf|archive-date = 30 August 2020|df = dmy-all}}</ref> "Holy Thursday"<ref name="Basil">{{cite web|url = http://www.reu.org/public/liturgys/litidx.htm| title = Orthodox Liturgical Index|publisher = The Society of Clerks Secular of Saint Basil|access-date = 12 April 2009}}</ref> or both.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://holyincarnation.org/pub/Lent-Easter%202009.pdf|title = Lent|publisher = Holy Incarnation Orthodox Church|access-date = 12 April 2009|archive-date = 15 May 2011|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110515071146/http://holyincarnation.org/pub/Lent-Easter%202009.pdf|url-status = dead}}</ref> The [[Coptic Orthodox Church]] uses the term "Covenant Thursday" or "Thursday of the Covenant".<ref>{{cite book | last=Malan | first=Solomon Caesar | title=The Divine Liturgy of Saint Mark the Evangelist | location=London | publisher=D. Nutt | series=Original documents of the Coptic Church | year=1872 | url=https://archive.org/details/divineliturgysa00malagoog | access-date=4 April 2017 | page=[https://archive.org/details/divineliturgysa00malagoog/page/n63 55]}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | last=Butler | first=Alfred J. | title=The Ancient Coptic Churches of Egypt | location=Oxford, UK | publisher=Clarendon Press | volume=2 | year=1884 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vgE4AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA350 | access-date=4 April 2017 | page=350}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | last=Abdennour | first=Samia | title=Egyptian customs and Festivals | location=Cairo | publisher=American University in Cairo Press | year=2007 | isbn=978-977-416-060-8 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZlwnDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA89 | access-date=4 April 2017 | page=89}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=History of Making the Holy Chrism in the Coptic Orthodox Church since Pope Athanasius (326–378) until Pope Shenouda the 3rd (1971– )|work=[[Hallesche Beiträge zur Orientwissenschaft]] |issn=0233-2205 |publisher=Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg |year=2007 |page=29 |url=http://menadoc.bibliothek.uni-halle.de/ssg/content/pageview/641932}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Dunne |first=Agnese |title=The Thursday of the Covenant |work=Jubilee: A Magazine of the Church & Her People |volume=5 |year=1957 |pages=4–5 |publisher=A.M.D.G. Publishing Company |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bm1EAQAAIAAJ&q=covenant+thursday}}</ref>

In the [[Maronite Church]]<ref>{{cite web  |url=http://www.stgeorgesa.org/Thursday%20of%20the%20Mysteries.htm | title = Liturgical Notes: Thursday of Mysteries | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120313035123/http://www.stgeorgesa.org/Thursday%20of%20the%20Mysteries.htm |access-date=13 March 2012 | archive-date = 13 March 2012 }}</ref> and the [[Syriac Orthodox Church]],<ref>{{cite web|author=Thomas Joseph |url=http://sor.cua.edu/Calendar/index.html |title=Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church |publisher=Sor.cua.edu |access-date=13 August 2013}}</ref> the name is "Thursday of Mysteries".

"Maundy Thursday" is the official name of the day in the civil legislation of England<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2001/20011310.htm|title = The Local Authorities (Referendums) (Petitions and Directions) (England) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2001|publisher = United Kingdom Office of Public Sector Information| access-date = 11 April 2009}}</ref> and the Philippines.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2007/07/24/republic-act-no-9492/ |title=Republic Act No. 9492 |date=24 July 2007 |publisher=Philippine Government |access-date=26 January 2009}}</ref>

The day has also been known in English as ''Shere Thursday'' (also spelled ''Sheer Thursday''), from the word ''shere'' (meaning "clean" or "bright").<ref name="Sheer">{{cite book|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=dpXNAAAAMAAJ&q=maundy&pg=PA369| title = Maundy Thursday and Good Friday|author=Charles Dickens|author-link=Charles Dickens| year = 1889|publisher = [[Sine nomine]]|access-date = 22 March 2012|quote=Maundy Thursday is the day immediately preceding Good Friday. It was also known as Shere Thursday, probably from a custom of the priests, who on this day are said to have shaved themselves and trimmed their hair, which had been allowed to grow during the preceding six weeks. An old chronicle says 'people would this day shere theyr hedes, and clypp theyr berdes, and so make them honest against Easter Day.'}}</ref> This name might refer to the act of cleaning, or to the fact that churches would switch [[liturgical colors]] from the dark tones of [[Lent]], or because it was customary to shear the beard on that day,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/ncd05187.htm |title=New Catholic Dictionary |publisher=Catholic-forum.com |access-date=13 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021125848/http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/ncd05187.htm |archive-date=21 October 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> or for a combination of reasons.<ref>"The old English name for Maundy Thursday was 'Sheer Thursday', when the penitents obtained absolution, trimmed their hair and beards, and washed in preparation for Easter" ({{cite web |url= http://www.katolikus.hu/hun-saints/margaret.html | title = Hungarian Saints | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080305212020/http://www.katolikus.hu/hun-saints/margaret.html |access-date=5 March 2008 | archive-date = 5 March 2008 }}).</ref> This name has cognates in the Nordic languages, such as Danish {{Lang|sv|skærtorsdag}}, Swedish {{Lang|sv|skärtorsdag}}, Norwegian {{Lang|no|skjærtorsdag}}, Faroese {{Lang|fo|skírhósdagur}} and {{Lang|fo|skírisdagur}}, Icelandic {{Lang|is|skírdagur}}, and Finnish {{Lang|fi|kiirastorstai}}.
{{Clear}}

=== Derivation of the name "Maundy" ===
[[File:Maundy Thursday 07 washing feet diocese St Asaph.jpg|thumb|Maundy ceremony in a [[Church in Wales]] parish church during a Maundy Thursday [[Church service|service of worship]]]]
''[[Footwashing|Maundy]]'' is the name of the Christian rite of footwashing,<ref name="Bower2003">{{cite book|title = The Companion to the Book of Common Worship|author=Peter C. Bower|publisher = [[Geneva Press]]|quote=Maundy Thursday (or ''le mandé''; Thursday of the ''Mandatum'', Latin, commandment). The name is taken from the first few words sung at the ceremony of the washing of the feet, 'I give you a new commandment' (John 13:34); also from the commandment of Christ that we should imitate His loving humility in the washing of the feet (John 13:14–17). The term ''mandatum'' (maundy), therefore, was applied to the rite of foot-washing on this day.}}</ref> which traditionally occurs during Maundy Thursday church services.<ref name="Bower2003"/>

The English word ''[[wikt:maundy|maundy]]'' in the name for the day is derived through [[Middle English]] and [[Old French]] ''mandé'', from the [[Latin]] {{Lang|la|mandatum}} (also the origin of the English word "mandate"), the first word of the phrase "''Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos''" ("A new commandment I give to you: That you love one another, as I have loved you.") By this statement in [[John 13|chapter 13 of the Gospel of John]],  Jesus explained to the Apostles the significance of his action of washing their feet.

The phrase is used as the [[antiphon]] sung in the [[Roman Rite]] during the Maundy ([[Ecclesiastical Latin]]: "Mandatum") ceremony of the washing of the feet, which may be held during Mass or as a separate event. A priest or bishop, representing Christ, ceremonially washes the feet of others, typically 12 persons chosen as a cross-section of the community. In 2016, it was announced that the [[Roman Missal]] had been revised to allow women to participate as part of the 12 in the Mandatum. Previously, only males partook of the rite.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/21/world/pope-francis-women-ritual/|title=Pope Francis changes foot-washing rite to include women|author=Daniel Burke|date=21 January 2016|work=CNN}}</ref>

Others theorize that the English name "Maundy Thursday" arose from "maunds" or baskets or "maundy purses" of alms which the king of England distributed to certain poor at Whitehall before attending Mass on that day.  Thus, "maund" is connected to the Latin {{Lang|la|mendicare}}, and French {{Lang|fr|mendier}}, to beg.<ref name=Schaff>{{cite web | url = http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/hcc3.iii.x.v.html | author = Philip Schaff | title = History of the Christian Church | work = Christian Classics Ethereal Library  | volume =III}}</ref>

A source from the Shepherd of the Springs, Lutheran Church likewise states that, if the name was derived from the Latin ''{{Lang|la|mandatum}}'', we would call the day Mandy Thursday, or Mandate Thursday, or even Mandatum Thursday. The term "Maundy" comes from the Latin ''{{Lang|la|mendicare}}'', Old French {{Lang|fro|mendier}}, and English ''maund'', which as a verb means to beg and as a noun refers to a small basket held out by maunders as they maunded.<ref>{{cite web | title = Shepherd of the Springs, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod |url=http://www.sslc-cos.org/sermons06/lent_maundy.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416232617/http://www.sslc-cos.org/sermons06/lent_maundy.htm |access-date=16 April 2009 |archive-date=16 April 2009 }}</ref> Other sources reject this etymology.<ref name="Langland">{{cite book | last1=Langland | first1=W. | last2=Skeat | first2=W.W. | title=The Vision of William Concerning Piers the Plowman: In Three Parallel Texts; Together with Richard the Redeless | publisher=Clarendon Press | issue=v. 2 | year=1886 | url=https://archive.org/details/visionwilliamco08langgoog | access-date=17 February 2017 | page=[https://archive.org/details/visionwilliamco08langgoog/page/n339 239]}}</ref>

==Services==
===Western Christianity===

Maundy Thursday initiates the [[Paschal Triduum]], the period which commemorates the [[Passion (Christianity)|passion]], [[Crucifixion of Jesus|death]], and [[resurrection of Jesus]]. This period includes Good Friday and [[Holy Saturday]], and ends on the evening of Easter Sunday.<ref name="Story"/><ref>{{cite book|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=dyWqm3hCMC0C&q=Triduum+Maundy&pg=PA113|title = The Companion to the Book of Common Worship| first= Peter C.   |last= Bower|date = 2003|publisher = [[Geneva Press]]|isbn = 9780664502324|quote=All of Holy Week points toward the passion – the death and resurrection of Christ. The week's three final days (from sunset Thursday through sunset on Easter) complete the commemoration of Christ's passion. These three days are called the Triduum.|access-date = 11 April 2009}}</ref> The [[Mass of the Lord's Supper]] or service of worship is normally celebrated in the evening, when Friday begins according to Jewish tradition, as the Last Supper was held on the feast of [[Passover]], according to the three [[Synoptic Gospels]].<ref>{{cite book|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=1UWp5pi1SdUC&q=maundy+thursday+evening+jewish&pg=PA64|title = Worship and Festivals|publisher=[[Heinemann (publisher)|Heinemann]]|first1=Gwyneth   |last1= Windsor | first2 = John   |last2= Hughes|quote=On the Thursday, which is known as Maundy Thursday, Christians remember the Last Supper which Jesus had with his disciples. It was the Jewish Feast of the Passover, and the meal which they had together was the traditional ''Seder'' meal, eaten that evening by the Jews everywhere.|date= 1990|isbn = 9780435302733|access-date = 11 April 2009}}</ref>

====Services====
{{Main|Mass of the Lord's Supper|Royal Maundy}}

In the [[United Kingdom]], the [[Royal Maundy]] service involves the [[Monarch]] offering "alms" to deserving senior citizens – one man and one woman for each year of the sovereign's age.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.royal.uk/royal-maundy-service|title=Royal Maundy Service|website=The Royal Family |language=en|access-date=28 March 2024}}</ref> These coins, known as [[Maundy money]] or Royal Maundy, are distributed in red and white purses, and is a custom dating back to [[Edward I of England|King Edward I]]. The red purse contains regular currency and is given in place of food and clothing. The white purse has money in the amount of one penny for each year of the Sovereign's age. Since 1822, rather than ordinary money, the Sovereign gives out [[Maundy money#Maundy coinage|Maundy coins]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Maundy Money |url =http://www.royalmint.com/RoyalMint/web/site/Corporate/Corp_british_coinage/Maundy_Money.asp |access-date=28 March 2007 |website=The Royal Mint|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20070328121720/http://www.royalmint.com/RoyalMint/web/site/Corporate/Corp_british_coinage/Maundy_Money.asp |archive-date =28 March 2007 }}</ref> which are specially minted 1, 2, 3 and 4 penny pieces, and are legal tender. The service at which this takes place rotates around English and Welsh churches, though in 2008 it took place for the first time in [[Northern Ireland]] at [[St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh (Church of Ireland)|Armagh Cathedral]]. Until the death of King [[James II of England|James II]], the [[Monarch]] would also wash the feet of the selected poor people. There is an old sketch, done from life, of Queen [[Elizabeth I of England|Elizabeth I]] washing people's feet on Maundy Thursday.{{citation needed|date=June 2022}}

The [[Footwashing|Maundy]] (washing of the feet) is practised among many Christian groups on Maundy Thursday, including the [[Anglican]]/[[Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America|Protestant Episcopal]],<ref>{{cite book | title = Episcopal and the African Methodist Episcopal Church | work = Book of Occasional Services | page = 93 | year = 1994}}</ref> [[Armenian Apostolic Church|Armenian]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.armenianchurch.net/worship/easter/thursday.html |title=Maundy Thursday |publisher=The Armenian Church |access-date=13 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090224130221/http://www.armenianchurch.net/worship/easter/thursday.html |archive-date=24 February 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> [[Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church|Ethiopian]], [[Lutheran]],  [[Methodist]], [[Eastern Catholic]], [[Schwarzenau Brethren|Schwarzenau (German Baptist) Brethren]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brethren.org/ |title=Churches of the Brethren |publisher=Brethren.org |date=8 August 2013 |access-date=13 August 2013}}</ref> [[Mennonite]],  [[Presbyterian]] and [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] traditions.<ref name="UMC Maundy Thursday">{{cite web|url = http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=1&mid=2873| title = What is Maundy Thursday? |publisher = United Methodist Church|access-date = 21 March 2007}}</ref><ref name="Stamm2015">{{cite book |last1=Stamm |first1=Mark |title=Devoting Ourselves to the Prayers: A Baptismal Theology for the Church's Intercessory Work |date=2015 |publisher=Upper Room Books |isbn=978-0-88177-714-7 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Elwell2001">{{cite book |last1=Elwell |first1=Walter A. |title=Evangelical Dictionary of Theology |date=2001 |publisher=Baker Academic |isbn=978-0-8010-2075-9 |page=750 |language=en |quote=Observed in the Roman Catholic Church, Maundy Thursday appears on the Lutheran, Anglican, and many Reformed liturgical calendars and is almost universally celebrated with the Lord's Supper.}}</ref>

[[File:Chancel of Houston Memorial UMC on Good Friday.jpg|thumb|upright=1|[[Stripping of the Altar|Altar and crucifix veiled]] in a Methodist church on Maundy Thursday in preparation for [[Good Friday]]]]

With Maundy Thursday commemorating the [[Last Supper]], Christian denominations who observe this day universally celebrate the [[sacrament]] of [[Holy Communion]], which they teach was instituted by Jesus on this night.<ref name="Elwell2001"/> In the Catholic Church, the Lutheran Church and in certain Anglican congregations, the [[Mass of the Lord's Supper]] begins as usual, but the [[Gloria in Excelsis Deo|Gloria]] is accompanied by the ringing of [[church bell]]s, which are then silent until the [[Easter Vigil]].<ref name="CC-Maundy Thursday">{{cite web|url = http://www.catholicculture.org/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2008-03-20|title = Maundy Thursday|publisher = Catholic Culture|access-date = 21 March 2007|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110514153942/http://www.catholicculture.org/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2008-03-20|archive-date = 14 May 2011|df = dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="Gramenz2021">{{cite web |last1=Gramenz |first1=Stefan |title=Holy Week II: Maundy Thursday |url=https://lutheranmissal.home.blog/2021/03/26/holy-week-overview-ii-maundy-thursday/ |publisher=The Lutheran Missal |access-date=26 March 2024 |language=en |date=27 March 2021}}</ref> After the homily the washing of feet may be performed. The [[Blessed Sacrament]] remains exposed, at least in the Catholic Mass, until the service concludes with a [[procession]] taking it to the [[Altar of Repose|place of reposition]]. The altar is later stripped bare, as are all other altars in the church except the Altar of Repose. In pre-1970 editions, the [[Roman Missal]] of the Catholic Church envisages this being done ceremonially, to the accompaniment of {{bibleverse||Psalms|21–22|KJV}},<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.sanctamissa.org/en/resources/books-1962/missale-romanum-1962.pdf| title = Missale Romanum| year = 1962| page = 161| access-date = 8 February 2021| archive-date = 15 February 2020| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200215054059/https://sanctamissa.org/en/resources/books-1962/missale-romanum-1962.pdf| url-status = dead}}</ref><ref>{{CathEncy|wstitle=Stripping of an Altar}}</ref> a practice which continues in the Lutheran churches and Anglican churches of Anglo-Catholic [[churchmanship]].<ref name="LL2013">{{cite web |title=The Three Days: traditions of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and the Vigil of Easter |url=https://www.livinglutheran.org/2013/04/three-days-traditions-maundy-thursday-good-friday-vigil-easter |publisher=[[Living Lutheran]] |date=5 April 2013 |quote=After the Eucharist is celebrated it is customary to “strip the altar,” which symbolizes the abandonment of Jesus by his disciples and the stripping of Jesus by the soldiers before his crucifixion. It represents the humiliation of Jesus and the consequences of sin as a preparation for the celebration of new life. In many congregations Psalm 22 is read or sung while the paraments are being removed.}}</ref> In other [[Christian denominations]], such as the Methodist Churches, the stripping of the altar and other items on the [[chancel]] also occurs, as a preparation for the somber [[Good Friday]] service.<ref name="LBW-Maundy Thursday">{{cite book|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=BinVUNIdOgAC&q=stripping+of+altar+lutheran&pg=PA319| title = Maundy Thursday: Stripping the Altar |publisher = Lutheran Church|access-date = 21 March 2007|isbn = 978-0-8066-1676-6|author1 = Pfatteicher, Philip H|author2 = Messerli, Carlos R|year = 1979}}</ref> The stripping of the altar represents "the abandonment of Jesus by his disciples and the stripping of Jesus by the soldiers before his crucifixion."<ref name="LL2013"/>

====Chrism Mass====
{{main|Chrism Mass}}
[[File:P Villanueva Messe im Lateran.jpg|thumb|right|Chrism Mass in the [[Lateran Basilica]]]]
The Chrism Mass is a religious service held in Roman Catholicism, Lutheranism and Anglicanism.<ref name="ELCA2013">{{cite book|title=How is oil used in worship?|year=2013|publisher=[[Evangelical Lutheran Church in America]]|language=en|page=2|quote=This service, also called a Chrism Mass, is held during Holy Week and presided over by a synodical bishop. At this unique liturgy, the blessing of oil is coupled with a renewal of vows for rostered leaders. The traditional day for this service is Maundy Thursday).}}</ref><ref name=Tennessee>{{cite web | url = http://edtn.org/chrism-mass-2017 | title = Chrism Mass 2017 | work = The Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee | access-date = 13 April 2017 | archive-date = 13 April 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170413153130/http://edtn.org/chrism-mass-2017/ | url-status = dead }}</ref>

Maundy Thursday is notable for being the day on which the Chrism Mass is celebrated in each [[diocese]]. Usually held in the diocesan [[cathedral]], it is generally held on the morning of Maundy Thursday, but may in some dioceses take place on another day during Holy Week.<ref>[http://catholicexchange.com/what-is-the-chrism-mass Saunders, William. "What is the Chrism Mass?", ''Arlington Catholic Herald'', March 23, 2017]</ref> The Mass is a celebration of the institution of the priesthood.<ref name="ELCA2013"/><ref>{{cite web| url =  http://www.themonitor.com/article_8d0fa9c4-1f2e-11e7-bbf9-c313ec45cbb7.html | title =What is the Chrism Mass? | work =The Monitor | location = McAllen, Texas | date = April 11, 2017}}</ref>

During the Mass, those present are called to renew their baptismal promises. Priests/ministers and deacons also reaffirm their ministry by renewing the promises made at their ordination.<ref name=Jalbert>{{cite web| url = https://www.catholicnh.org/worship-and-sacraments/faith/worship/chrism | last = Jalbert | first = Jason | title = Chrism Mass | work = Diocese of Manchester (New Hampshire)}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Chrism Mass | work = Cathedral of St. Mary's, Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana | date = April 4, 2017 |url=https://dol-in.org/news/chrism-mass | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170413153251/https://dol-in.org/news/chrism-mass |access-date=13 April 2017 | archive-date = 13 April 2017 }}</ref> The Mass takes its name from the blessing of the [[Chrism|holy oils]] used in the sacraments throughout the year, which are then given to priests to take back to their parishes.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.nola.com/religion/index.ssf/2017/04/chrism_mass_to_be_celebrated_a.html  | last =Chatelain | first =Kim | title =Chrism Mass to be celebrated at 10 a.m. at St. Louis Cathedral | work =Times-Picayune | date =April 11, 2017}}</ref>

The service is a 1967 restoration of the rite recorded in the early 200s by the historian [[Hippolytus of Rome|Hippolytus]] who writes of a ceremony taking place during the Easter Vigil at which two holy oils were blessed and one was consecrated. In the decree renewing this rite [[Pope Paul VI]] said, "The Chrism Mass is one of the principal expressions of the fullness of the bishop's priesthood and signifies the closeness of the priests with him."<ref name=Baltimore>{{cite web |  title = Chrism Mass | work = Catholic Review | publisher = Archdiocese of Baltimore | date =  March 27, 2008 | url = https://www.archbalt.org/about-us/our-bishops/cardinal-obrien/articles/chism-mass.cfm | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170413153522/https://www.archbalt.org/about-us/our-bishops/cardinal-obrien/articles/chism-mass.cfm |access-date=13 April 2017 | archive-date = 13 April 2017 }}</ref>

The Holy Oils are:
* [[Chrism]] – used in the sacraments of [[Baptism]], [[Confirmation in the Catholic Church|Confirmation]] and [[Holy orders in the Catholic Church|Holy Orders]], as well as for the consecration of altars and the dedication of churches.<ref>{{cite web |  url = http://www.stjames-cathedral.org/Events/2017/album-chrismmass.aspx |  title = Chrism Mass 2017 |  work = St. James Cathedral, Seattle |  date = April 6, 2017}}</ref>
* the [[oil of catechumens]] – also used in the sacrament of Baptism, and
* the oil of the sick – used in the rite of the [[Anointing of the Sick]]

The oil of the catechumens and chrism are used on the upcoming [[Holy Saturday]] at the [[Easter Vigil]], for the [[baptism]] and [[confirmation]] of those entering the church. While the Oil of the Catechumens and the Oil of the Sick, are simply "blessed," the Sacred Chrism is "consecrated,". Holy chrism is a mixture of olive oil and balsam, an aromatic resin. Balsam is poured into the oil, which gives it a sweet smell intended to remind those who encounter it of the "odor of sanctity" to which those who are marked with it, are called to strive.<ref name=Jalbert/>

With respect to Anglicanism, the 1979 ''[[Book of Common Prayer]]'' (p.&nbsp;307) calls for chrism to be consecrated by the bishop. In many dioceses, the consecration of chrism by the bishop may be done at a service of reaffirmation of ordination vows during Holy Week. During the Chrism Eucharist, the Bishop will bless the oils used throughout the next year for baptisms and healing. In addition, the Bishop and clergy in attendance will reaffirm their Ordination Vows.<ref name=Tennessee/>

====Plenary indulgence====
In the Roman Catholic Church, plenary [[indulgence]] is obtained in the following cases:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/246665/how-to-obtain-a-plenary-indulgence-during-holy-week|title=How to obtain plenary indulgence during Holy Week 2024}}</ref>
# If during the solemn reservation of the Blessed Sacrament (typically on a side altar), which follows the Mass of the Lord's Supper, it is recited or sung the Eucharistic hymn ''[[Tantum ergo]]''.
# If it is adored the solemnly reserved Blessed Sacrament for a half hour.

===Eastern Christianity===
====Eastern Orthodoxy====
[[File:Omovenie nog.jpg|thumb|Orthodox [[icon]] of Christ washing the feet of the Apostles (16th century, [[Pskov]] school of [[iconography]])]]
In the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]], the [[liturgical colour]]s are brighter, white being common. On this day alone during Holy Week, the fast is relaxed to permit consumption of wine and oil.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}

The primary service of this day is [[Vespers]] combined with the [[Liturgy of St. Basil|Liturgy of St. Basil the Great]] at which is read a Composite Gospel, primarily taken from [[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]], but with episodes inserted from [[Gospel of John|John]] ([[Maundy (foot washing)|the Washing of the Feet]]) and [[Gospel of Luke|Luke]] ([[Hematidrosis#Instances|Jesus sweating blood]]), and many of the normal hymns of the Divine Liturgy are substituted with the following [[troparion]]:

<blockquote>Of Thy Mystical Supper, O Son of God, accept me today as a communicant; for I will not speak of Thy [[Sacred Mysteries|Mystery]] to Thine enemies, neither will I give Thee a kiss like [[Judas]]. But like the [[The Good Thief (Christianity)|Thief]] will I confess Thee: Remember me, O Lord, in Thy [[Paradise|Kingdom]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Communion Prayers |url=https://www.orthodoxsalem.com/communion-prayers-st-john-chrysostom-5 |access-date=2024-08-08 |website=St. Nicholas Orthodox Church |language=en-US}}</ref></blockquote>

When necessary to replenish the [[Church tabernacle#Reserved sacrament|sacrament for communing the sick at a time not following a divine liturgy]], an additional [[Lamb (Liturgy)|Lamb (Host)]] is consecrated on this day, [[Intinction#Eastern Christianity|intincted]], covered, and left to dry until Holy Saturday when it is divided, completely dried with a candle flame, and the pieces placed in the [[Church tabernacle#Communion for the sick – Catholic Rite|artophorion]].{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}

In [[cathedral]]s and [[monasteries]] the ceremony of the [[Washing of Feet]] is normally performed.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}} When there is need to [[consecrate]] more [[chrism]], that is performed by patriarchs and other heads of the various [[autocephalous]] churches.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}

[[File:Lent_calendar.svg| thumb|Maunday Thursday and other named days and day ranges around Lent and Easter in Western Christianity, with the fasting days of Lent numbered]]
In the evening, after the Liturgy, all of the [[antependia|hangings]] and [[vestments]] are changed to black or some other dark colour, to signify the beginning of the Passion. Anticipating the Matins of Friday morning, the Holy Passion service of the reading of the '''Twelve Gospels''' is conducted. In these readings Christ's last instructions to his disciples are presented, as well as the prophecy of the drama of the Cross, Christ's prayer, and his new commandment. The twelve readings are:
*{{bibleverse||John|13:31–18:1|KJV}}
*{{bibleverse||John|18:1–29|KJV}}
*{{bibleverse||Matthew|26:57–75|KJV}}
*{{bibleverse||John|18:28–19:16|KJV}}
*{{bibleverse||Matthew|27:3–32|KJV}}
*{{bibleverse||Mark|15:16–32|KJV}}
*{{bibleverse||Matthew|27:33–54|KJV}}
*{{bibleverse||Luke|23:32–49|KJV}}
*{{bibleverse||John|19:19–37|KJV}}
*{{bibleverse||Mark|15:43–47|KJV}}
*{{bibleverse||John|19:38–42|KJV}}
*{{bibleverse||Matthew|27:62–66|KJV}}
Beginning on Holy and Great Thursday, the [[Memorial service (Orthodox)#Lity|memorial service for the dead]] is forbidden until after [[Thomas Sunday]].
{{clear}}

=====Local customs=====
* In Greek practice, the [[Sacrament|Mystery]] of [[Unction]] is performed on [[Holy Wednesday|Great Wednesday]] as preparation for the reception of Holy Communion on Great Thursday and Pascha, a custom that originated when Greece was under [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] control and parish priests, being uneducated, were not permitted to hear confession, so this sacrament, by which sins are believed to be forgiven, came to be performed.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}
* In Greek tradition, a procession is made during the service of the Twelve Passion Gospels. It takes place after the reading of the fifth gospel during the singing of "Today He Who Hung". During this procession, a large cross with the body of Christ is carried throughout the church while lights are extinguished, bells are slowly tolled, and the faithful prostrate themselves. The cross, with Christ's body hung upon it, is placed in front of the Royal Doors. The icon of Christ on the cross (sometimes with nails affixing it) is struck upon the hands and feet with a stone multiple times, and is then stood up in front of the church, where it is censed.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}
* In some Slavic traditions, a lesser procession is made after the Twelve Passion Gospels immediately prior to the dismissal with an icon of Christ's crucifixion which is placed on the central icon stand, where it is censed by the clergy, and then venerated.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}

====Oriental Orthodoxy====
[[Oriental Orthodox Churches]] celebrate Covenant Thursday during Holy Week (based on their local calendars). They offer praises and vespers every day of week, and on Thursday and Saturday they remain in church praising God and reading about the First Liturgy and Judas' Betrayal. On Saturday they sing praises for the Entrance of the Messiah in Hades freeing all of the faithful ones including Moses and Abraham.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}

==Customs and names around the world==
[[File:Bishop Sebouh - Washing of Feet.jpg|thumb|Bishop Sebouh Chouldjian ([[Armenian Apostolic Church]]) washing the feet of children during the Washing of Feet ceremony]]
[[File:BlessingChrism.jpg|thumb|Blessing Chrism]]
[[File:Pesaha at Payyappilly's.jpg|thumb|Pesaha appam (unleavened bread) and Pesaha milk made during Maundy Thursday by [[Saint Thomas Christians]] of [[Kerala]], [[India]]]]
* If statues and crucifixes have been covered during [[Passiontide]] (the last 2 weeks of Lent, at least in the 1962 Catholic missal), the crucifix covers are allowed to be white instead of purple for Holy Thursday.
* The popular [[German (language)|German]] name {{Lang|de|Gründonnerstag}} means either "mourning Thursday" or "green Thursday".<ref>The word is of medieval origin and may refer to the widespread custom of eating green herbs on Maundy Thursday (cf. {{cite web| url = https://woerterbuchnetz.de/?sigle=DWB#1| title =  Deutsches Wörterbuch | author = Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm}}). The name could also derive from [[Old High German]] ''grīnan'' ("mourn" or "wail", cf. Engl. ''groan''), referring to the passion of Jesus Christ or the [[penitent]]s' return to the [[Eucharist]] on this day in olden times ({{Cite book |last=Küppers |first=K. |title=Gründonnerstag |work=Lexikon des Mittelalters |publisher=DTV |year=2003 |volume=IV |location=Munich}}.</ref>
* In the [[Czech Republic]] and [[Slovakia]] the day is called {{Lang|cs|Zelený čtvrtek}} or {{Lang|sk|Zelený štvrtok}} respectively, again meaning "Green Thursday", because the typical meals of this day were made of fresh, green vegetables etc. From that day there is no usage of the [[church bell]]s until [[Holy Saturday]], here called "White Saturday", because "they have flown to [[Rome]]" (a euphemism); in some regions they are replaced by groups of children walking round their village (or around the church) and making noise with wooden rattles. This is to announce to the people approaching beginning of the liturgy and to call the people to church.
* The tradition of silent bells also occurs in [[Luxembourg]]: the bells fall silent until Easter, because "they have flown to Rome for Confession", so children take to the streets, calling people to church with melancholy wooden rattling.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Spicer |first=Dorothy Gladys |title=Festivals of Western Europe |year=1958}}</ref>
* In the [[Netherlands]] and [[Belgium]], the day is called ''Witte Donderdag'' (White Thursday) referring to the [[liturgical colour]] of the day.
* In [[Malta]], Holy Thursday is known as ''Ħamis ix-Xirka'' (Communion Thursday) and the tradition of [[Seven Churches Visitation|visiting seven churches]] (see below) is called ''is-seba' visti'' or is-Sepulkri.
* [[Eastern Slavic peoples|Eastern Slavic cultures]] traditionally carried out a range of cleansing ceremonies on Maundy Thursday (sometimes known in Russian as "Clean Thursday" ({{langx |ru| Чистый четверг}})).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Agapkina |first=Tat'yana Alekseevna |title=Slavyanskie drevnosti: Etnolingvisticheskii slovar: v 5 tomakh |date=2012 |publisher=Межд. отношения |isbn=978-5-7133-1380-7 |editor-last=Tolstoy |editor-first=N. I. |volume=5 |location=Moscow |pages=555–558 |language=ru |script-title=ru:Славянские древности: Этнолингвистический словарь : в 5 т. |trans-title=Slavic antiquities: an ethno-linguistic dictionary in 5 volumes |chapter=Чистый четверг}}</ref>
* In [[Welsh language|Welsh]], Maundy Thursday is {{Lang|cy|Dydd Iau Cablyd}}.
* In [[Sweden]] Maundy Thursday (skärtorsdagen) is connected to old folklore as the day of the witches. Young children often dress up as witches and knock on doors getting coins or candy for Easter eggs.
* In [[Bulgaria]] Maundy Thursday is called ''Veliki Chetvurtuk'' (Great Thursday), and is traditionally the day when people color their Easter eggs and perform other household chores geared toward preparing for ''Razpeti Petuk'' (Crucifixion Friday), ''Velika Subota'' (Great Saturday) and ''Velikden'' (Easter Day).
* In [[Kerala]] the day is called as ''[[Pesaha]]'' (പെസഹ), a [[Malayalam language|Malayalam]] word derived from the Aramaic or Syriac word "''Peshai''" meaning [[Passover]] . Maundy Thursday and following Good Friday are observed as statewide public holiday declared by the [[Government of Kerala]], given the high number of [[Saint Thomas Christians|Syrian Christians]] in the state.<ref name="newindianexpress">{{Cite news |title=Kerala government releases list of holidays for 2019 |work=The New Indian Express |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2018/oct/20/government-releases-list-of-holidays-for-2019-1887493.html |access-date=5 April 2020}}</ref> The tradition of consuming ''[[Pesaha appam]]'' or ''Indariyappam'' is customary after special longer [[Holy Qurbana]], which are conducted on the or at midnight till morning in churches of [[Saint Thomas Christians]]. On the evening before Good Friday the Pesaha bread is made at home. It is made with unleavened flour and they use a sweet drink call ''Pesaha Paal'' made up of coconut milk and jaggery along with this bread. On the Pesaha night the bread is steamed in a new vessel, immediately after rice flour is mixed with water and they pierce it many times with handle of the spoon to let out the steam so that the bread will not rise. This bread is cut by the head of the family and shared among the family members after prayers. In some families, ''Pesaha Paal'' a creamy dip made up of jaggery and coconut milk is used along with the Pesaha bread. If the family is in mourning following a death, Pesaha bread is not made at their home, but some of the Saint Thomas Christian neighbours share their bread with them.<ref>Sunish George J Alumkalnal, (2013). "[https://www.nasrani.net/2012/11/11/pesaha-celebration-of-nasranis-a-socio-cultural-analysis/ Pesaha celebration of Nasranis: a sociocultural analysis]." ''Journal of Indo Judaic studies'' '''13''', pp.&nbsp;57–71</ref> The Saint Thomas Christians diaspora also celebrate this day by having Holy Communion services in the parishes according to their respective liturgies. The tradition of washing feet by priests is practiced in every parish commemorating [[Jesus]] washing the feet of his disciples symbolizing humility.
* In the [[Philippines]], the day is officially known as ''Huwebes Santo'' (phonetic transliteration of Jueves Santo in Spanish, Holy Thursday)  or "Maundy Thursday". Most businesses are closed during the [[Easter Triduum]], with shopping malls opening on Black Saturday. Terrestrial television and radio stations either go completely off-air during the Triduum or operate on shorter hours with special programming; cable channels usually retain their normal programming. Newspapers do not publish on Good Friday and Black Saturday.

===Public holiday===
[[File:ChristWashingFeet.JPG|thumb|''Christus'', by the Lutheran [[Lucas Cranach the Elder]]. This woodcut of {{bibleverse||John|13:14–17}} is from ''Passionary of the Christ and Antichrist''.]]
Maundy Thursday is a public holiday in most countries that were part of the [[Spanish Empire]] ([[Argentina]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Maundy Thursday |url=http://www.officeholidays.com/countries/europe/maundy_thursday.php |access-date=13 April 2017 |publisher=officeholidays.com}}</ref> [[Colombia]], [[Costa Rica]], [[El Salvador]], [[Guatemala]], [[Honduras]], [[Mexico]], [[Nicaragua]], [[Paraguay]], [[Peru]], the [[Philippines]], [[Spain]],<ref>except in the regions of Catalonia and Valencia</ref> [[Uruguay]] and [[Venezuela]]), countries that were part of the [[Danish colonial empire]] ([[Denmark]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Planning your trip_www.visitdenmark.com |url=http://www.visitdenmark.com/uk/en-gb/menu/turist/turistinformation/fakta-az/helligedage.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309021041/http://www.visitdenmark.com/uk/en-gb/menu/turist/turistinformation/fakta-az/helligedage.htm |archive-date=9 March 2012 |access-date=13 August 2013 |publisher=VisitDenmark}}</ref> [[Iceland]], [[Norway]] and [[United States Virgin Islands]]), and in the [[Kerala]] State of [[India]].
Certain German states declare a public holiday for public sector employees. In the UK, civil servants were traditionally granted a half-day holiday (known as "privilege leave") on this date, but that was abolished, by David Cameron, after 2012.

===Seven Churches Visitation===
{{main|Seven Churches Visitation}}
The tradition of visiting seven churches on Holy Thursday is an ancient practice, probably originating in [[Rome]].<ref name="Hill">{{Cite web |title=Hill, William. "Join the 7-church visits", Diocese of Pittsburgh, April 11, 2014 |url=http://diopitt.org/pittsburgh-catholic/join-7-church-visits |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150521120610/http://diopitt.org/pittsburgh-catholic/join-7-church-visits |archive-date=21 May 2015 |access-date=30 March 2015 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> and occurs among the faithful in countries around the world.

In [[India]], the custom is to visit fourteen churches, one per [[Station of the Cross]]. Traditionally, this is performed on Maundy Thursday evening but is more often done on the morning of Good Friday or on any day of Lent. Usually, whole families would participate, customarily [[Fasting and abstinence in the Roman Catholic Church|fasting]] for the duration of the rite. It is also undertaken by parish devotional groups.

In the [[Philippines]] the tradition is called ''[[Visita Iglesia]]'' ([[Spanish language in the Philippines|Spanish]], "church visit") – people visit churches to pray, usually reciting the [[Stations of the Cross]]. It is a chiefly urban custom, as churches are located closer to each other in [[Cities of the Philippines|cities]], and supposedly because it originates in visiting the seven churches of [[Intramuros]] that stood until the 1945 [[Bombing of Manila]].<ref>Of the seven, only [[Manila Cathedral]] and [[San Agustin Church, Manila|San Agustín Church]] remain ''[[in situ]]'' following the [[World War II in the Philippines|Second World War]].</ref>
The original purpose of the ritual was to venerate the [[Blessed Sacrament]] in the [[Altar of Repose]] on Maundy Thursday night, but since no prayers were prescribed (apart from those for the [[Pope]]), the Stations of the Cross were recited.

In [[Singapore]], the visiting of churches occurs shortly after the evening Mass of the Lord's Supper. Prayers at each church consist of seven repetitions of the [[Lord's Prayer]], [[Ave Maria]], and the ''[[Gloria Patri]]''. Due to the new trend of late Mass times (sometimes 7 or 8 pm) to allow for more churchgoers, eight churches are the maximum number visited (even in the city area, where these are closer to each other than in outer residential areas) before these close at midnight. A festive atmosphere exists, with the sale of drinks, [[hot cross bun]]s and other local snacks like the traditional ''kueh ko chee''. Observant Catholics have a 'Last Supper' meal in anticipation of the next day's fast.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Duccio di Buoninsegna 029.jpg|Washing of the Feet and the Last Supper, painting of Altar of [[Siena Cathedral]] in 14th century
File:Levoca Last Supper.jpg|"The Last Supper" – museum copy of [[Master Paul]]'s sculpture
File:Passion Gospels - Great Thursday -- Annunciation, Toronto, 2015.JPG|Reading of the 12th Passion Gospel on Great and Holy Thursday
File:The Last Supper - Leonardo Da Vinci - High Resolution 32x16.jpg|[[Leonardo da Vinci]]'s "[[The Last Supper (Leonardo)|The Last Supper]]" painting, located inside the [[Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan|Santa Maria delle Grazie]], in [[Milan|Milan, Italy]]
</gallery>

==See also==
{{Death of Jesus |Holy Week}}
* [[Corpus Christi (feast)|Corpus Christi]]
* [[Friday of Sorrows|Friday of Sorrows (Friday before Palm Sunday)]]
* [[Life of Jesus in the New Testament]]
* [[Paschal cycle]]
* [[Tenebrae (service)]]
* [[Thursday of the Dead]]
* [[Tristis est anima mea (responsory)]], second responsory for the Tenebrae at Maundy Thursday

== Footnotes==

{{reflist|group=note}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|20em}}
{{refbegin}}
{{refend}}

==Bibliography==
* {{CathEncy|wstitle=Maundy Thursday}}

== External links ==
{{Wiktionary|Maundy Thursday}}
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-homily-for-chrism-mass-full-text Pope Francis, "Homily for Chrism Mass"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413161829/http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-homily-for-chrism-mass-full-text |date=13 April 2017 }}, ''News.va'', March 28, 2013.
* [http://www.saintcd.com/2017/04/09/chrism-mass-its-symbols-and-their-meaning/ Cosentino, Tony. "Chrism Mass: its Symbols and Their Meaning"], Diocese of St. Catherine's, Ontario.

{{Clear}}
{{Easter}}
{{Liturgical year of the Catholic Church}}
{{Philippine national holidays}}

{{Authority control}}

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