Maundy Thursday

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Grammarist

Maundy Thursday is a term that has been in use since the mid-1400s. We will examine the meaning of the term Maundy Thursday, where it came from and some examples of its use in sentences.

Maundy Thursday is the Thursday in Holy Week, which is the week on the Christian calendar that commemorates Easter. Also known as Holy Thursday, Maundy Thursday remembers the Last Supper. The Last Supper is the final meal that Jesus ate with his Apostles before his crucifixtion. At the Last Supper, Jesus predicticted his own betrayal and death, washed the feet of his Apostles and admonished them: “A new commandment I give unto you: Love one another as I have loved you.” The word maundy is derived from the Latin word mandatum, which means commandment. Maundy Thursday is observed every year, with Palm Sunday being the beginning of the Holy Week remembrances. In Britain, the reigning monarch attends Royal Maundy service and distributes specially designed coins. The number of coins distributed is equal to the monarch’s age, and currently goes to people who have been some sort of service to their community.

Examples

It is not thought to be a serious issue as Philip, who was named as a guest in the order of service for the Maundy Thursday event, was spotted driving in Windsor Great Park on Wednesday. (The Daily Express)

Commuters from Abergavenny were give a free shoe polish at the train station to mark Maundy Thursday today. (The Abergavenny Chronicle)

As Jesus taught by deed as much as word, every Maundy Thursday many Christians embrace the ritual of foot washing He modeled on His last night among us. (The Denver Post)