Maundy Thursday is a common and popular name for the Thursday before Easter Sunday. It got its name from the Latin word mandatum, which means "commandment" and it commemorates Christ's Last Supper, at which He instituted the Eucharist and the Priesthood, and gave them the new commandment that "they should love one another".
In Britain on Maundy Thursday there is a tradition of giving silver coins to the poor, which is said to have originated with St. Augustine in 597 AD at Canterbury, and has been performed by the monarch since the days of Edward II.
Washing of feet is another Maundy Thursday thing, and at one time was carried out by the monarch. James II is said to be the last British monarch to personally perform this and it was abandoned in the 18th century, which doesn't altogether surprise me, I can't see the Hanoverian kings having much truck with washing the feet of the poor.
Perhaps it is having a revival because I remember it as part of the service at Denton, and we had it tonight at Emmanuel. I don't usually, at any church, participate in this but at the last moment this evening I decided to do so. I was somewhat surprised that the water was warm and it was actually quite pleasant.
Perhaps it is having a revival because I remember it as part of the service at Denton, and we had it tonight at Emmanuel. I don't usually, at any church, participate in this but at the last moment this evening I decided to do so. I was somewhat surprised that the water was warm and it was actually quite pleasant.
So we are moving through Holy Week, tomorrow as you know is Good Friday.
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