When did the Maundy Thursday start?
About Maundy Thursday Holiday
Maundy Thursday, also known as Holy Thursday, is a Christian holiday celebrated the day before Good Friday. It is the day that Jesus celebrated his Last Supper with his disciples before his crucifixion. During this holiday, many churches and Christian communities hold a service that includes readings, the washing of feet, and the Eucharist. This day is a day of solemn reflection and remembrance of Jesus’ mortality and passion. Maundy Thursday is a part of the Holy Week commemorating the death of Jesus. It is a time of repentance, reconciliation, and reflection on the events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus.
Maundy Thursday – A Long-Standing Holiday Celebrated Around the World
Maundy, or holy Thursday, is a solemn day celebrated as part of the Christian Easter Triduum. Traditionally, it commemorates Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples, as described in the Gospels and is the day before Good Friday and the Easter Sunday. The day is observed with special liturgies in many Christian churches around the world, making it one of the most important and widely-celebrated days in Christianity.
Introduction to Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday is a special day in the Christian calendar and is regarded with great solemnity. It marks the last supper of Jesus and his disciples, and serves as a reminder of his love for them. The word ‘Maundy’ comes from the Latin mandatum, meaning ‘commandment’, and refers to the events of the evening, during which Jesus washed the feet of the disciples and gifted them with a new commandment: “love one another as I have loved you”.
Historical Origins of Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday is a tradition which dates back to early Christian history. It is generally agreed upon by scholars that the earliest reference to Maundy Thursday as a distinct day is found in the writings of Gregory of Tours, a 6th-century French bishop. In his writings, Gregory recounts a story from the Gospels which tells of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples before the Last Supper. From this story, the tradition of Maundy Thursday was born.
The celebration of Maundy Thursday was not always consistent throughout history. It was often overshadowed by the celebration of Easter and Good Friday. However, during the Middle Ages, Maundy Thursday began to take on greater importance in the minds of Christians. Religious processions and Masses were established to mark the day, and it gradually became more widely celebrated in churches throughout Europe.
Maundy Thursday Celebrations in Different Countries
Today, Maundy Thursday is celebrated in many countries around the world in different ways.
The United States
In the United States, Maundy Thursday is celebrated primarily by Christians, although many non-Christians observe the day as well. It is commonly celebrated with a Mass or a service of Communion. Many churches also commemorate the Last Supper with a re-enactment of the event, with members of the congregation acting as Jesus and the 12 disciples. After the service, there is often a communal meal, shared by the congregation to represent the Last Supper.
The United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, Maundy Thursday is a special day. It is often celebrated with a procession to the cathedral, where a special service takes place. In some parts of the country, there is an old tradition of gifting coins to the elderly, known as ‘Maundy Money’. This is thought to be symbolic of Jesus’ gift of a new commandment during the Last Supper. Additionally, the Mass on Maundy Thursday traditionally consists of a re-enactment of the Last Supper and the washing of feet.
Germany
In Germany, Maundy Thursday is a public holiday and is celebrated with a midnight Mass. This Mass is particularly ceremonial, and involves the re-enactment of the Last Supper. Afterwards, the congregation gathers around the altar to sing traditional German hymns. At the end of the ceremony, the Gospel for the day is read to commemorate the life and teachings of Jesus.
Mexico
In Mexico, Maundy Thursday is also a public holiday. It is traditionally celebrated in churches with a solemn Mass that includes the blessing of the oils. The Mass also features a re-enactment of the Last Supper and the communal breaking of wheat bread. Afterwards, the faithful partake of the bread and wine in remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice. In some parts of Mexico, Maundy Thursday is also celebrated with processions through the streets, with participants wearing traditional robes and carrying religious imagery.
Canada
In Canada, Maundy Thursday is celebrated with special religious services, processions, and solemn gatherings. It is traditional in some areas for families to come together to read the Scriptures and reflect on the events leading up to the death of Jesus. The evening usually culminates in a communal meal, and a shared re-enactment of the Last Supper.
Conclusion
Maundy Thursday is a special day celebrated by many Christians around the world. In each country, the holiday is observed in its own unique way, but all share the same reverence for Jesus’ sacrifice and teachings. Thanks to the introduction of religious processions and special Masses during the Middle Ages, the celebration of Maundy Thursday has endured for centuries, and it is likely to continue for many more to come.
How to Say "Maundy Thursday" In Different Languages?
- Chinese (Simple)
- 洗足節 (zh-CN)
- Finnish
- Kiirastorstai (fi-FI)
- French
- Jeudi Saint/Jeudi de l'Ascension (fr-FR)
- German
- Gründonnerstag (de-DE)
- Greek
- Μεγάλη Πέμπτη (el-GR)
- Hebrew
- קנדה (he-IL)
- Hindi
- गुलाबों की रोटी का दिन (hi-IN)
- Indonesian
- Kamis Agung (id-ID)
- Italian
- Giovedì Santo (it-IT)
- Korean
- 어서릉 일(예루살렘 입산 일) (ko-KR)
- Polish
- Wielki Czwartek (pl-PL)
- Portuguese
- Quinta-Feira da Ascensão (pt-BR)
- Romanian
- Paste (ro-RO)
- Russian
- Четверг молитвы (ru-RU)
- Spanish
- Jueves Santo (es-ES)
- Spanish
- Jueves Santo (es-AR)
- Spanish
- Jueves Santo (es-MX)
- Swedish
- Skärtorsdagen (sv-SE)
- Turkish
- Haziran Ayinin Perşembesi (tr-TR)
Maundy Thursday Also Called
Holy Thursday, Great Thursday, and Tremendous Thursday.Countries where "Maundy Thursday" is celebrated:
- :: Asia
- :: India
- :: Philippines
- :: Europe
- :: Denmark
- :: Iceland
- :: Norway
- :: Spain
- :: United Kingdom
- :: Central America
- :: El Salvador
- :: Guatemala
- :: Mexico
- :: Nicaragua
- :: Panama
- :: North America
- :: Canada
- :: Costa Rica
- :: United States of America
- :: Oceania
- :: Australia
- :: South America
- :: Colombia
- :: Paraguay
- :: Peru
- :: Uruguay
- :: Venezuela
- :: The Caribbean
- :: Dominican Republic
FUN FACT:
In year 4th century, Maundy Thursday is celebrated on April 9 for the first time.HOLIDAY CHECK: We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, please click here to contact us!
Kerala Holidays March 2024: Schools, colleges and banks to remain shut on these dates – Times of India
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