Holy Thursday

Maundy Thursday Quick Facts - GB

AKA Name	Maundy Thursday
Hashtags	#MaundyThursday, #HolyThursday
Related Hashtags	#HolyWeek, #HolyWeekAtHome, #Easter
2020 Date	9 April 2020
2021 Date	1 April 2021

2020 Holidays & Dates

Holy Thursday in 2020

Thursday, 9 Apr

Days to go:

Holy Thursday History

Holy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper Jesus had with his disciples before he was arrested and crucified (Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22: 13-20). It is celebrated in the Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Protestant churches. It includes the sacrament of Holy Communion to commemorate the Last Supper. It may also include foot-washing.

Holy Thursday is one of several services included in Holy Week, which leads up to Easter Sunday. Others include Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter Vigil on Saturday.

Top Tweets for Maundy Thursday -

Physically apart but still singing together. Recorded in their own homes, our Lay Vicars sing 'If ye love me', in perfect harmony, for our Maundy Thursday digital service. The anthem was chosen in particular for its theme of love for one another. https://t.co/jI5VSfLEnB
— Salisbury Cathedral (@SalisburyCath) April 10, 2020

Today we mark Maundy Thursday. Read or listen to today's prayer at https://t.co/Rn4jDVCRSG. https://t.co/SoAuOwSG5H
— The Church of England (@churchofengland) April 9, 2020

No Maundy Thursday service of course today, but let's look back at previous years when the York Princesses helped out HM the Queen with this tradition. First here's Princess Beatrice with her grandmother in 2012 at York Minster... https://t.co/EQ5WOskYbB
— Francine Blaise (@FrancineBlaise1) April 9, 2020

In the News and Trending for Maundy Thursday

Updated 21:21It's Maundy Thursday!

agapomedia.com

Queen sends gift to pensioners for Maundy Thursday in innovative way during lockdown

express.co.uk

Maundy Thursday tradition upheld in Greenfield to support NHS

saddind.co.uk

Maundy Thursday 2020 - St Paul's Cathedral

stpauls.co.uk

Maundy Thursday Facts & Quotes

Some Holy Thursday services include stripping of the Altar, held in church. It's an ancient practice that represents the abandonment and desolation the disciples felt after Jesus was arrested. Designated people take down all decorations and the Bible for the church sanctuary. The items will be put back Easter Sunday morning, sometimes in a procession.
Into each of our lives Jesus comes as the bread of life... to be eaten, to be consumed by us. Then He comes as the hungry one, the other, hoping to be fed with the bread of our life, our hearts loving, and our hands serving. - Mother Theresa of Calcutta.
Foot-washing celebrates the servant hood of Jesus. The word Maundy comes from mandatum novum in Latin, new commandment, which refers to the scripture found in John 13:34-35. After Jesus washes the feet of his disciples, he says, A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
The words used in Holy Communion reflect what Jesus told his disciples: Take, eat. This is my body broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me. … Drink for this, all of you. This is my blood of the new covenant, poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.

Holy Thursday Top Events and Things to Do

Take a close at Michelangelo's The Last Supper. Notice what each of the disciples is doing, and how Jesus is portrayed.
Attend a Holy Thursday service. Some denominations, such as Roman Catholicism, require you to be a member to be given communion, but many Protestant Churches do not.
Participate in a foot-washing service. This puts many people outside of their comfort zone. Washing someone else's feet is an intimate act, but it was the lowliest act that a slave in Israel performed. It demonstrates ability to love and serve others.
Watch The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965) with Max von Sydow as Jesus. Pay attention to the Last Supper scene.