Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday (also known as Great and Holy Thursday, Holy and Great Thursday, Covenant Thursday, Sheer Thursday, and Thursday of Mysteries, among other names) 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.
| Maundy Thursday | |
|---|---|
The Mystical Supper, Russian Orthodox icon, 1497 | |
| Also called | Holy Thursday Covenant Thursday Great and Holy Thursday Thursday of Mysteries Shere from the word shere (meaning "clean" or "bright") or Sheer Thursday |
| Observed by | Christians |
| Type | Christian/Civic |
| Significance | Commemorates the Maundy and Last Supper of Jesus Christ |
| Observances | Chrism Mass, Mass of the Lord's Supper, Washing of the feet, distribution of Maundy money, |
| Date | Easter − 3 days |
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| Frequency | annual |
| Related to | Holy Week and Easter |
It is the fifth day of Holy Week, preceded by Holy Wednesday and followed by Good Friday. "Maundy" comes from the Latin word mandatum, or commandment, reflecting Jesus' words "I give you a new commandment." The day comes always between March 19 and April 22, inclusive, and will vary according to whether the Gregorian calendar or the Julian calendar is used. Eastern churches generally use the Julian system.