Maundy Thursday 2023: What is the meaning of the Christian holy day?

Following the arrival of Palm Sunday and the start of Holy Week, Christians around the world will prepare to celebrate Easter weekend.

Before Good Friday, there is another significant date that is observed on the Christian calendar: Maundy Thursday.

While the day may not warrant a day off work, it is still a crucial occasion for those that observe Christian teachings in Western and Orthodox churches.

In the UK, the late Queen Elizabeth II would usually give Maundy money to pensioners as an act of charity and to mark the occasion.

Since her death on 8 September 2022, King Charles III has ascended the throne. This year, he will present 74 men and 74 women, with the number chosen to signify his age, with a Maundy gift.

Here’s everything you need to know about Maundy Thursday:

When is it?

Maundy Thursday falls on the fifth day of Holy Week, which commences this year on Palm Sunday. This year, Maundy Thursday takes place on Thursday 6 April.

The day is also recognised by names including Holy Thursday, Covenant Thursday, Great and Holy Thursday and Thursday of Mysteries.

It is followed by Good Friday (7 April), Holy Saturday (8 April) and Easter Day (9 April), otherwise known as Easter Sunday.

Easter Monday takes place on 10 April, which commemorates Jesus Christ’s resurrection, according to Christian belief.

What does Maundy Thursday commemorate?

On Maundy Thursday, Christians commemorate the day on which Jesus Christ shared the Last Supper with his 12 apostles, prior to his crucifixion.

Jesus is believed to have washed the disciples’ feet before the meal in order to demonstrate the importance of serving others.

The word “Maundy” comes from the Latin word “mandatum” meaning “command”.

According to Christian scripture, Jesus told his followers: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34.

Some believe the Last Supper may have been a Passover meal, due to the inclusion of wine and unleavened bread.

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However, it is not explicitly stated that the meal was a traditional Jewish Passover Seder.

During the Last Supper, it is said Jesus fed his followers bread, which was representative of his body, and wine, which was representative of his blood.

The ceremonial practice, known as Communion, Mass or Eucharist, is recognised in the Christian service and involves consecrated bread and wine being distributed to participants in the Catholic mass and in other Christian churches.

Following the supper, Jesus and his followers are believed to have headed to the nearby garden of Gethsemane to pray. Christian scripture reads that Jesus was betrayed that evening by one his disciples, Judas, with a kiss on the cheek and later arrested and taken to trial.

How is it commemorated?

Until 1689, it was customary for the monarch to wash worshippers’ feet in Westminster Abbey, as well as hand out food and clothing

That practice remains a tradition in the Catholic and Armenian Apostolic Churches and is routinely performed by priests.

Believers mark Maundy Thursday by attending mass in many Anglican churches across the UK, although this year that will not be possible amid the coronavirus pandemic, which has seen places of worship be closed.

The Queen traditionally attended a Royal Maundy service at one of Britain’s cathedrals or royal chapels. The King and Queen Consort will continue this tradition and will attend a service at the York Minster Cathedral this year.

What is “Maundy money”?

During the Royal Maundy service, it is custom for the monarch to hand out two small leather string purses containing special coins to elderly attendees.

A red purse contains a standard coin, while a white one contains silver Maundy coins, amounting to the same number of pence as the years of the sovereign’s age.

The first Maundy money ceremony took place in the reign of Charles II, when the king gave people undated hammered coins in 1662.

The coins are traditionally made of sterling silver and are designed especially for the service. They are legal tender and highly collectable.