Christians observe Maundy Thursday, which commemorates the Last Supper, annually on April 6, the Thursday preceding Easter. In various traditions, it is also known as Holy Thursday, Covenant Thursday, and Thursday of Mysteries. Maundy Thursday refers to Jesus’ foot-washing of the apostles prior to the Last Supper. Christians across the globe, particularly Catholics, observe the day with a special mass and prayers. The word “Maundy” is an Anglo-French derivative of the Latin word “mandatum,” which means “commandment.”
HOW TO OBSERVE MAUNDY THURSDAY
Attend church
Christian congregations observe the holiday with a special mass and prayers. By visiting a local Christian church, non-Christians and non-believers can learn a great deal about one of the most important days on the Christian calendar.
Discover the story
Holy Wednesday and Maundy Thursday mark the beginning of the life-altering tale of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Everyone benefits from a deeper understanding of the religious traditions of others. Obtain a book or watch a documentary that explains the significance of Holy Thursday in Christianity.
Spend the day being respectful
Maundy Thursday is an excellent opportunity to recall the significance of humility. Use Maundy Thursday to examine yourself throughout the day for indications that you could always use a bit more humility in your life, regardless of your own religious traditions.
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THURSDAY OF MAUNDY AROUND THE WORLD
Czechoslovakia and Slovakia
In the local vernacular, Maundy Thursday is referred to as Green Thursday, when meals consist primarily of fresh, green vegetables.
Kerala State, India
In homes, unleavened Pehasa bread is prepared and consumed alongside coconut milk.
Sweden
Maundy According to ancient folklore, Thursday is the day of witches. Similar to Halloween, children dress as witches and collect coins or candy from door-to-door.
Bulgaria
The Bulgarians decorate Easter eggs and clean their homes in preparation for Crucifixion Friday.
The silence of the Luxembourg church bells on Maundy Thursday until Easter signifies a symbolic migration to Rome for confession.
WHY MAUNDY THURSDAY IS IMPORTANT
Solid practises
Holy Week is one of the most significant Christian holidays, and Maundy Thursday is a pivotal day of the week. From Armenia to Africa to Germany, the day is commemorated with special masses and prayers according to Christian traditions.
It glorifies modesty
Jesus’ intention in washing the disciples’ feet was to demonstrate his humility. Jesus humbled himself in front of his own servants as a final act before he knew he would be crucified. Today’s masses emphasise the significance of humility in the Christian faith.
It connects Christian denominations.
All over the world, Christians observe Maundy Thursday. Observers are required to visit 14 different Christian churches, one for each of the 14 stations of the cross, as part of its tradition, which continues through Good Friday. It unifies the Christian church across all regions and nations.
MAUNDY THURSDAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | April 1 | Thursday |
| 2022 | April 14 | Thursday |
| 2023 | April 6 | Thursday |
| 2024 | March 28 | Thursday |
| 2025 | April 17 | Thursday |
