Is Maundy Thursday The Same As Holy Thursday? Why Is It Called Maundy?

Is Maundy Thursday the same as Holy Thursday?

Yes, Maundy Thursday is known as Holy Thursday in many countries. It is also called Covenant Thursday. Sheer Thursday, Great and Holy Thursday or even Thursday of Mysteries.

Maundy Thursday is the holy Thursday before Easter, celebrated by Christian community to commemorate the Washing of the Feet and the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles.

Holy Thursday is the fifth day in Holy Week (which immediately precedes Easter). The day before it is called Holy Wednesday when the following one is a Good Friday.

Why is it called Maundy Thursday?

As stated above, Maundy Thursday is to commemorate the Washing of the Feet rite, which is done along singing these Latin words "Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos.”

Can you spot it now?

The name Maundy is taken from the first word Mandatum and applied to the day of foot washing ceremony.

What do you eat on Maundy Thursday?

The religious practice may vary a little bit among regions but the most popular menu for a Holy Thursday include grilled lamb chops, spinach, roasted potatoes, pita, salad and wine.

Of course you can’t miss bread and wine on a Maundy Thursday as in the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles, he shared bread and wine with his disciples. This later becomes a tradition among Christian communities on this Thursday of Mysteries.

What is Maundy money?

As a royal tradition, Queen of England will give coins and essentials to elderly citizens on this day. A man and a woman receive the alms represent each year that the Queen has been alive.

Each person will get two purses. A red purse stores money and a white purse story one penny for each year of Queen’s lifetime.

These coins are specially minted to mark this day so they are called the special “Maundy money.”