Maundy Thursday, also known as Holy Thursday, Covenant Thursday, Great and Holy Thursday, and Thursday of Mysteries, is the Christian feast or holy day falling on the Thursday before Easter that commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles. It is the fifth day of Holy Week, and is preceded by Holy Wednesday and followed by Good Friday.
It is the beginning of the three day celebration of Easter - the most important time in the year for Christians. This period ('The Triduum') is a big celebration, remembering the last supper, the crucifixion and the death of Jesus, and the Resurrection to new life.
It is the beginning of the three day celebration of Easter - the most important time in the year for Christians. This period ('The Triduum') is a big celebration, remembering the last supper, the crucifixion and the death of Jesus, and the Resurrection to new life.
The name Maundy Thursday arose from a medieval custom whereby the English royalty handed out "maundy purses" of alms to the poor before attending Mass on this day.
Customs and Practices
The Maundy Thursday celebrations in the United Kingdom today involve the Queen offering "alms" to deserving senior citizens (one man and one woman for each year of the Queen's age). These "alms" are coins, known as Maundy money or Royal Maundy, are distributed in red and white purses. This custom dates back to King Edward I.
Each recipient will be given the red and white purses. The red purse contains regular currency and is given in place of food and clothing. The white purse contains currency in the amount of one penny for each year of the Queen's age. Since 1822, rather than ordinary money, the Queen gives out Maundy coins which are specially minted 1, 2, 3 and 4 penny pieces, and are legal tender.
In 2009, the red purse contained a £5 coin celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Ascension of Henry VIII and a 50p coin to mark the founding of Kew Gardens. The white purse contained 83p in Maundy coins because the Queen was 83 years old that year.
The service at which this takes place rotates around English and Welsh churches, though in 2008 it took place for the first time in Northern Ireland at Armagh Cathedral. Until the death of King James II, the Queen would also wash the feet of the selected poor people.
Adapted from Wikipedia
Each recipient will be given the red and white purses. The red purse contains regular currency and is given in place of food and clothing. The white purse contains currency in the amount of one penny for each year of the Queen's age. Since 1822, rather than ordinary money, the Queen gives out Maundy coins which are specially minted 1, 2, 3 and 4 penny pieces, and are legal tender.
In 2009, the red purse contained a £5 coin celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Ascension of Henry VIII and a 50p coin to mark the founding of Kew Gardens. The white purse contained 83p in Maundy coins because the Queen was 83 years old that year.The service at which this takes place rotates around English and Welsh churches, though in 2008 it took place for the first time in Northern Ireland at Armagh Cathedral. Until the death of King James II, the Queen would also wash the feet of the selected poor people.
Adapted from Wikipedia
