Article summary: Maundy Thursday is an incredibly important day for Christians as it marks the Last Supper and the establishment of The Eucharist. On this day, Christians remember Jesus’ humility in washing the feet of His disciples before the supper.
Maundy Thursday traditions around the world include the Seven Churches Visitation, the Silence of the Bells, The German Gründonnerstag, The Easter Witches of Sweden, and the Bulgarian Veliki Chetvurtuk. In Great Britain, the Sovereign gives Maundy Money to deserving senior citizens.
Table of Contents
- What Is Maundy Thursday?
- What Is the Story of Maundy Thursday?
- Why did Jesus wash the feet of His Disciples?
- Narration of the Last Supper in the Bible
- Why Holy Thursday is celebrated in Christianity?
- Maundy Thursday Meaning in Christianity
- Jesus established The Eucharist during the Last Supper
- Maundy Thursday Observance
- Why do we clear the altar on Holy Thursday?
- Maundy Thursday Traditions and Rituals Around the World
Maundy Thursday, or Holy Thursday, is two days before Easter and marks the start of the Triduum. Its Latin name Mandatum Novum translates to “new commandment” which is found in John 13:34, when Jesus said to his disciples that they should love one another. In this article, I’ll explore the most important aspects of Maundy Thursday meaning in Christianity; more than this, I’ll try to reach the deep spiritual messages of this day.
What Is Maundy Thursday?
Maundy Thursday is an incredibly important day for Christians, as it is observed the Thursday before Easter Sunday. It commemorates the Last Supper, where Christians consider that Jesus established The Eucharist – also known as the Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion. It’s a day of reflection and appreciation for Jesus’ profound demonstration of humility, love and service on that day.
The term “Maundy” in Maundy Thursday comes from the Latin word mandatum, which means “command.” This refers to the “New Commandment” that Jesus gave the apostles in John 13:34, to “Love one another.” This day is also called “Holy Thursday” or “Covenant Thursday,” in reference to the new covenant established at the Passover meal.
What Is the Story of Maundy Thursday?
On the evening of Maundy Thursday, Jesus and his disciples gathered together for the Last Supper. On that evening, Jesus washed the feet of the apostles humbly demonstrating his devotion.
He then took bread, blessed it and said, “This is my body which is given for you”. This was symbolic of the body of Christ, which was to be broken for mankind. After that, he blessed a cup of wine and gave it to them, saying, “This cup symbolizes the new covenant of my blood, which is shed for you”. Then he gave them a New Commandment to “Love one another as I have loved you”.
As they ate, the Lord sadly said, “One of you here eating with me shall betray me.” The disciples were in shock, asking one after the other, “Is it me? Lord, could it be me?” Jesus confirmed that it was one of the twelve currently eating with Him and added that woe will come to the one who betrays Him.
Judas Iscariot, who had already planned to sell Jesus for money and worried he would be identified if he stayed silent, asked boldly “Master, is it I?” And Jesus replied promptly and sternly, “You have said it.”
During the Last Supper, Jesus foretold that Peter would deny knowing Him, and even before the rooster crowed in the morning, Peter would have disowned Him.
Jesus asked the disciples to “remember this day”, for it was the day that He was about to give His life for us. He asked them to remember the Last Supper and the New Covenant that He established in His blood. They were to continue in remembrance of Jesus’ death until He comes again.
Following this meal, they all went to Gethsemane where Jesus prayed to God asking Him to take away his suffering. He finally accepted God’s will and when Judas arrived with soldiers to arrest him, he submitted to his fate.
Why did Jesus wash the feet of His Disciples?
In ancient Jerusalem, it was customary for people to have their feet washed upon entering a house, as the roads were typically covered in dust. This task was usually carried out by servants. But Jesus washed the feet of his disciples as an act of humility and service.
This event is often seen as a symbol of Jesus’s teachings of selfless love and service to others. The act of washing feet has set a paradigm of servanthood and humility. Jesus was showing his disciples, and by extension all of humanity, that we should be willing to serve others and put their needs before our own.
This act also showed that the act of service is one of the highest forms of love. Jesus was teaching us that no matter how lowly the task, it is still an important part of love and service.
Watch Jaye Martin explain all about it in this short video:
Narration of the Last Supper in the Bible
The Last Supper is an event narrated in all four gospels of the Bible and is one of the most iconic and memorable religious events. This took place during the Jewish holiday of Passover, on what is now known as Maundy Thursday.
We find the story of the Last Supper in the gospels of Matthew, chapter 26, Mark, chapter 14, Luke, chapter 22, and John, chapter 13.
Through these bible verses and passages, we have a reminder of the importance of the Last Supper and the events that took place. The Last Supper was a meaningful event that shows us the love and humility of Jesus and the promise of His Kingdom.
Why Holy Thursday is celebrated in Christianity?
On Maundy Thursday, Christians commemorate the Last Supper by partaking in the Communion – a service in which members take bread, give thanks, and share the cup, which is said to be a representation of the new covenant in Jesus’ Blood. During the supper, Jesus also washed the feet of the apostles, a remarkable act of humility.
Maundy Thursday is a special time for Christians to reconcile, offer forgiveness, and remember the Last Supper in which Jesus celebrated with the disciples before His crucifixion and death. On this day, Christians also remember how Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus.
Holy Thursday is a day for Christians to remember the extraordinary display of humility and love that Jesus displayed before His crucifixion, and to reflect on the new commandment given to His disciples. Through Communion, Christians commemorate the Last Supper and the new covenant in Jesus’ Blood. It’s a special reminder of the sacrificial love Jesus gave and how we should demonstrate that same love to one another.
Maundy Thursday Meaning in Christianity
Maundy Thursday is also known as Covenant Thursday, Sheer Thursday or Holy Thursday. This day is one of the most important and sacred days in the Christian faith. It is the day when Jesus celebrated the Last Supper with His disciples and was the night before His crucifixion and death. Through this supper, Christians also remember Jesus’ humility in washing the feet of His disciples before the supper.
Maundy Thursday is not only seen as a time to remember Jesus’ love for His disciples, but it is also an important day for Christians to remember the New Covenant in His blood and the New Commandment to love one another. It is a day that Christians commemorate with humility and solemnity in preparation for the Easter Sunday.
Jesus established The Eucharist during the Last Supper
The Eucharist, also known as the Holy Communion or the Lord’s Supper, is one of the most important Christian rites; It’s observed as a sacrament by many churches and an ordinance in others. According to the New Testament, Jesus established this ritual during the Last Supper: He gave His disciples bread and wine, instructing them to “do this in memory of me” and referring to the bread as “my body” and to the wine as “the blood of my covenant, which is poured out for many”.
- The elements of the Eucharist – consecrated bread (either leavened or unleavened) and wine (or non-alcoholic grape juice for some Protestant denominations) – are put on an altar or communion table and then consumed. Christians generally recognize a distinctive presence of Christ with this ritual, although opinions may differ regarding how, when, and where He is present.
- The Catholic Church claims that at consecration, both the body and blood of Christ are contained in/by the bread and wine; they argue that while their physical characteristics remain unchanged (e.g. color, taste), their very substance transform into Jesus’ body and blood (transubstantiation).
- Eastern Orthodoxy and Oriental Orthodoxy further assert that with prayer an objective change takes place with regard to the bread/wine so that it becomes His body/blood.
- Lutherans believe that His true body/blood is present ‘in/with/under’ these forms (sacramental union). Reformed Christians suggest a real spiritual existence of Christ within the Eucharist.
- In Anglican churches there is universal agreement on His real presence but Evangelicals hold it as spiritual while Anglo-Catholics maintain it is corporeal.
- Other religious entities such as Plymouth Brethren count this practice simply as a reenactment symbolic of remembrance. As such, ‘the Eucharist has been a focus point in ecumenical discussions around religion’.
Maundy Thursday Observance
The Catholic Christians observe Maundy Thursday with a number of traditions that recall Jesus Christ’s commandment to love one another. The best-known tradition is the washing of laymen’s feet by their priest during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, which mirrors Christ’s own washing of the feet of His disciples. On this day, people who needed to be reconciled to the Church in order to receive Communion on Easter Sunday could be absolved from their sins.
Furthermore, bishops would consecrate holy oil or chrism that would be used in baptisms and confirmations throughout the year, most especially at the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday.
Also on Maundy Thursday, a Communion service is held for Christians. Churches should strive to involve young children in these services as well – explaining what it means when eating the bread and drinking from the cup.
Additionally, many churches observe a Tenebrae Service which shares Jesus’ last hours leading up to his death through Scripture readings and hymns; as these stories unfold, candles are progressively extinguished until only one light remains, representing Christ’s time spent in the tomb for three days. This service may be held on Maundy Thursday itself or (as it is most often today) on Good Friday.
Why do we clear the altar on Holy Thursday?
The Roman rite of Stripping the Altar on Maundy Thursday symbolizes Jesus’ humiliation after the Last Supper. This event marked the last 24 hours of His earthly life.
During this ceremony, all decorations and liturgical objects are quietly removed, emphasizing the sorrow of Jesus’ Passion and death. The sanctuary remains bare until Easter.
There’s usually no blessing or postlude; everyone leaves in silence, symbolizing that Christ has been stripped of His power and glory.
Maundy Thursday Traditions and Rituals Around the World
Maundy Thursday is celebrated differently around the world. Leading up to Good Friday, Holy Thursday and has played an important role in rural communities. In some places it is also called Green Thursday due to the eating of green vegetables such as spinach.
Seven Churches Visitation
The Seven Churches Visitation is a Lenten tradition established by the Christian, especially Roman Catholic, faith. Following the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, people visit several churches to pray before the Blessed Sacrament in each. The practice has been embraced by various Christian denominations such as Catholic, Methodist, Episcopal and Salvationist.
The tradition most likely began in Rome, with pilgrims visiting seven basilicas as penance. Pope Boniface VIII declared the first Holy Year in 1300 and granted an indulgence to those who visited St. Peter’s Basilica and the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls on certain conditions. Philip Neri started the tradition around 1553 with a group of friends that made a ‘Seven Churches Walk’ as an alternative to Carnival’s festivities.
After Mass, people go to different churches – sometimes seven, sometimes fourteen or no particular number – to remember Jesus’ Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:40), while reciting Lord’s Prayer, Hail Mary and Gloria Patri or praying Stations of the Cross.
In India and Malta people visit fourteen churches or perform seven processions around one church on Maundy Thursday or Good Friday respectively; while Filipinos do it any day during Holy Week with two Stations recited per church; and Singaporeans after evening Mass with seven repetitions of Lord’s Prayer, Ave Maria and Gloria Patri at each church. Some now even take part in Bisikleta Iglesia – a bicycle tour following a route covering seven churches where participants pray Stations as a group.
The Silence of the Bells – “The bells have flown to Rome”
- Catholic churches go completely silent until Easter, replacing the sounds of bells with rattles and other noisy instruments. People often say: “The bells have flown to Rome”
- In Germany and central Europe, children’s folklore states that the bells travel to the tomb of the apostles after Mass. Kids are told that the church bells go to Rome to get blessed by the Pope, then rest on St. Peter’s roof until Easter Saturday.
- In France, it is believed that the bells make a journey to Rome to collect Easter eggs, which they will distribute in houses of kids who are obedient and well-mannered.
The German Gründonnerstag
- In Germany and America’s Pennsylvania Dutch, it’s tradition to eat green foods – such as kale, spinach, cress, leeks, chives and herbs – on Maundy Thursday for good luck in the year ahead.
- In some areas of Germany, people also have sweet “Judas Ears” rolls.
Plus, old folk tales recommend Green Thursday as the perfect day to bathe, do laundry and clean your home in preparation for Easter celebrations – hence why it’s sometimes referred to as ‘Clean Thursday’ in Europe.
The Easter Witches of Sweden
In Sweden, it has become intertwined with folklore, where children dress up as witches on this Christian holiday. The Easter Witches of Sweden is a modern lighthearted Easter tradition rooted in the 16th and 17th century witch trials and conspiracy theories.
- Witch hunts during this period resulted in thousands of people being tried for making pacts with the devil and hundreds being executed, allegedly flying to a place called Blåkulla using brooms, poles, cows, or people greased with ointment – all provided by the devil. There were stories of witches sitting around a table facing outward, old people becoming young, and women taking men’s roles in Blåkulla – these beliefs persisted through the 19th century.
- During this time Swedes lit bonfires and painted tar crosses to ward off evil, while young adults dressed as witches around Easter time often playing pranks such as knocking over wagons, riding horses, and climbing onto roofs.
- Additionally they would give out anonymous Easter letters including a painting of a witch which may have contained playful verses or insults to someone they believed did something wrong.
- Today these wild Easter witches have been replaced by groups of young girls dressed up in aprons and kerchiefs singing songs or giving out drawings in exchange for sweets or money – similar to bunnies or baby chicks.
The Bulgarian Veliki Chetvurtuk
- In Bulgaria, Maundy Thursday is known as Veliki Chetvurtuk (Great Thursday). This is the day when people color their Easter eggs and do other chores to get ready for Razpeti Petuk (Crucifixion Friday), Velika Subota (Great Saturday) and Velikden (Easter Day). It’s customary to also color eggs on Great Saturday.
- According to tradition, the first egg of the year is always red and replaces the one from last year. The second red egg is placed in the church on Saturday evening during mass, which starts at midnight. Any other colored eggs can follow this.
- In Western Bulgaria, these eggs were eaten until Easter Day; either full for a full house of fortune or hollow for bad luck.
- In the Ohrid region a few eggs were left in front of an icon until 3-4 years, while in Eastern Thrace snowy eggs were painted red and placed near icons to keep them healthy – these eggs were borne into fields against bad clouds (hail).
- On Veliki Chetvartak, Bulgarians also make dough for Easter breads and kozunak – a sweet bread that symbolizes Jesus Christ’s body, with the red eggs symbolizing his blood.
- On Maundy Thursday, it is not only allowed but mandatory to do some cleansing and purification at home. Unnecessary items should be thrown out in order to make room for more positive experiences and emotions.
- This day is also known as a time to cleanse our thoughts and souls. It is recommended to clean the house today, however washing is prohibited – according to the belief that if women chose this day or spread laundry out, it would bring hurricane winds and hail.
- Lending money or belongings from home is also not allowed on this special day.
- It was the advice of grandmothers to have children cut their hair for the first time on Holy Thursday during Holy Week. Additionally, young girls may tear their hair in order to help them grow long and thick!
Great Britain: Maundy Money from the Sovereign
- In Great Britain, it was once customary for royals to wash poor people’s feet of those in need; now they give alms coins to deserving senior citizens instead. This has been a tradition since at least the 12th Century.
- The red purse contains an allowance similar to what was given in food and clothing in former times, while within the white purse are Maundy coins amounting to as many pence as Her Majesty is years old. These coins are considered legal tender but very valuable for collectors because of their rarity.
Final thoughts
Jesus chose to surrender to his fate to save humanity because He knew that His death and resurrection were necessary for the salvation of mankind. His ultimate lesson of humility and love to all people is that no matter what, we should strive to serve others before ourselves and to extend unconditional love to all people. Jesus gave up his own life to bear the sins of mankind, forgive those who hurt Him, and show us that true, lasting joy is rooted in sacrificial love.
You may also like:
Happy Easter! Raise Your Heart and Soul with Jesus Christ
Faith, Hope and Inspiration: The Full Story Of Easter
How to Make DIY Resurrection Eggs with your Kids at Home
Discovering And Embracing Palm Sunday: A Guide To Celebrating Triumph And Hope
Treat Yourself to a Special Day! Everything You Need To Know About Lazarus Saturday
- Baptism Meaning & Definition From The Heart Of The Bible
- All You Need to Know About Who Can Baptize You: Can Anyone Perform Baptism?
- Baptism In Jesus Name For Salvation in God’s Love
- Baptism of the Holy Spirit – God’s Holy Ghost of Love
- Little Souls, Big Blessings: The Beauty Of Infant Baptism
- The History of Baptism: Holy Water, Holy Spirit, New Life
