Western Christianity Maundy Thursday initiates the
Paschal Triduum, the period which commemorates the
passion,
death, and
resurrection of Jesus. This period includes Good Friday and
Holy Saturday, and ends on the evening of Easter Sunday. 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.
Services 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. These coins, known as
Maundy money or Royal Maundy, are distributed in red and white purses, and is a custom dating back to
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 coins, 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
Armagh Cathedral. Until the death of King
James II, the
Monarch would also wash the feet of the selected poor people. A miniature painting attributed to
Levina Teerlinc,
An Elizabethan Maundy (c. 1560), depicts Queen
Elizabeth I washing people's feet during the ceremony. The
Maundy (washing of the feet) is practised among many Christian groups on Maundy Thursday, including the
Anglican/
Protestant Episcopal,
Armenian,
Ethiopian,
Lutheran,
Methodist,
Eastern Catholic,
Schwarzenau (German Baptist) Brethren,
Mennonite,
Presbyterian and
Roman Catholic traditions. 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. 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
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 , a practice which continues in the Lutheran churches and Anglican churches of Anglo-Catholic
churchmanship. 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. The stripping of the altar represents "the abandonment of Jesus by his disciples and the stripping of Jesus by the soldiers before his crucifixion." 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. The Mass is a celebration of the institution of the priesthood. 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. The Mass takes its name from the blessing of the
holy oils used in the sacraments throughout the year, which are then given to priests to take back to their parishes. The service is a 1967 restoration of the rite recorded in the early 200s by the historian
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." The Holy Oils are: •
Chrism – used in the sacraments of
Baptism,
Confirmation and
Holy Orders, as well as for the consecration of altars and the dedication of churches. • 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. • If, following the Mass of the Lord's Supper, the Eucharistic hymn
Tantum ergo is recited or sung during the solemn reservation of the Blessed Sacrament (typically on a side altar). • If the solemnly reserved Blessed Sacrament is adored for a half hour.
Eastern Christianity Eastern Orthodoxy of Christ washing the feet of the Apostles (16th century,
Pskov school of
iconography) In the
Eastern Orthodox Church, the
liturgical colours are brighter, white being common. On this day alone during Holy Week, the fast is relaxed to permit consumption of wine and oil. The primary service of this day is
Vespers combined with the
Liturgy of St. Basil the Great at which is read a Composite Gospel, primarily taken from
Matthew, but with episodes inserted from
John (
the Washing of the Feet) and
Luke (
Jesus sweating blood), and many of the normal hymns of the Divine Liturgy are substituted with the following
troparion: Of Thy Mystical Supper, O Son of God, accept me today as a communicant; for I will not speak of Thy
Mystery to Thine enemies, neither will I give Thee a kiss like
Judas. But like the
Thief will I confess Thee: Remember me, O Lord, in Thy
Kingdom. When necessary to replenish the
sacrament for communing the sick at a time not following a divine liturgy, an additional
Lamb (Host) is consecrated on this day,
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
artophorion. In
cathedrals and
monasteries the ceremony of the
Washing of Feet is normally performed. When there is need to
consecrate more
chrism, that is performed by patriarchs and other heads of the various
autocephalous churches. In the evening, after the Liturgy, all of the
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: • • • • • • • • • • • • Beginning on Holy and Great Thursday, the
memorial service for the dead is forbidden until after
Thomas Sunday.
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. ==Customs and names around the world==