Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday
The Mystical Supper,
Russian Orthodox icon, 1497
Also calledHoly Thursday
Covenant Thursday
Great and Holy Thursday
Thursday of Mysteries
Shere from the word shere (meaning "clean" or "bright") or Sheer Thursday
Observed byChristians
TypeChristian/Civic
SignificanceCommemorates the Maundy and Last Supper of Jesus Christ
ObservancesChrism Mass, Mass of the Lord's Supper, Washing of the feet, distribution of Maundy money
DateEaster − 3 days
2023 date
  • April 6 (Western)
  • April 13 (Eastern)
2024 date
  • March 28 (Western)
  • May 2 (Eastern)
2025 date
  • April 17 (Western)
  • April 17 (Eastern)
2026 date
  • April 2 (Western)
  • April 9 (Eastern)
Frequencyannual
Related toHoly 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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  1. ^ Ramshaw, Gail (2004). Three Day Feast: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter. Augsburg Books. ISBN 9781451408164. Retrieved 11 April 2009. 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.
  2. ^ Stuart, Leonard (1909). New century reference library of the world's most important knowledge: complete, thorough, practical, Volume 3. Syndicate Pub. Co. Retrieved 11 April 2009. 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.
  3. ^ "Maundy Thursday". Online Etymology Dictionary.

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