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Definition:
Maundy Thursday, also called Holy Thursday, is the Thursday before Easter is the date during
Holy Week when Christians commemorate both Judas' betray of Jesus and Jesus' creation of
the rite of Eucharist during the Last Supper. The name Maundy Thursday comes from an
English word which, in turn, comes from a Latin antiphon sung during church services on that day:
"Mandatum novum do vobis," which in English means "I give to you a new commandment" and
refers to the eucharist. This, in turn, is derived from the text of John 13:34.
For early Christians, this date was celebrated simply, with a general communion taken by both the clergy and lay members of the church, and marked the date when penitents had their public reconciliation with the community. Over time more and more was added to it and, in 1956, the Roman Catholic Church official instituted a morning liturgy service for the consecration of holy oils in preparation for both the coming year and for new baptisms and a second, evening liturgy service for the actual commemoration of the first eucharist. At this time, the hosts for the next days' Good Friday services are also consecrated and priests renew their commitment to celibacy and service to the church.
The priest celebrating eucharist at these services ritually washes and dries the feet of twelve men in remembrance of Jesus' washing the feet of his twelve disciples - this ritual is known as Pedilavium and was originally celebrated at a different point entirely, although it has been a part of Holy Thursday services since around the 13th century. This ritual has also become somewhat controversial because only men have their feet washed. Many regard this as an overly literalistic commemoration which only serves to reinforce a subordinate status to women in the church community.
Holy Thursday services at Eastern Orthodox churches are very similar to those of Roman Catholic churches described above, but most Protestant churches don't do anything special to mark this date.
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