ALT-1 The Significance of Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday is also known as Holy Thursday, Great and Holy Thursday, and Thursday of Mysteries. It is the Thursday before Easter, and marks the Feast of the Last Supper of Jesus and his Disciples. It always falls between March 19th and April 22nd.This day precedes the three days of Easter, and, is celebrated in the evening, since traditionally Friday, the Jewish Sabbath begins on Thursday night.The name for this Holy Day varies between Churches and geographical locations, but it is always the day before Good Friday.The origin of the word, Maundy is debatable. Some believe that the word comes from a phrase that Christ used when speaking to his disciples. In Latin, the first word of the phrase that begins, “A new commandment, I give unto you. .” is Mandatum. Others believe that the word originated from the “maundsor” baskets from which the King of England would distribute alms to the poor at Whitehall on this day. The “maundsor” name was connected to the Latin word, Mendicare, or the French, mendier, which means to beg.A medieval custom evolved and became a Maundy Thursday tradition, requiring the Royal family to hand out “Maundy purses” to the poor on this day.In some congregations, both Catholic and Protestant Churches, the Washing of the Feet has become a part of the Maundy service, imitating the ceremony that took place prior to the Last Supper. Altars and other items on the chancel of the churches are stripped of decoration at the end of the service, to prepare for Good Friday.Some churches, such as the Eastern Orthodox, celebrate a service on the preceding Wednesday, called Great Wednesday. A while cloth is placed on the altar table in preparation for Great Thursday, when communion is offered.It is the custom on Maundy Thursday in the United Kingdom for the Monarch to offer “alms” to deserving seniors. One man and one woman receives the “alms” from the Monarch for each year of the Monarch’s age. Maundy money is presented in red and white purses. Dating back to King Edward I, the traditional “alms” begins with regular currency being presented in the red purses, and, the coins for each year of the Sovereign’s age, presented in the white purse. Maundy money is specially printed for the occasion, but is actually legal tender.Until the time of King James II, the Monarch would also wash the feet of those selected to receive the “alms.”http://www.fisheaters.com/customslent13.html
