Holy Thursday: The Commemoration of the Last Supper

by Blaine Metzgar | April 9, 2009 at 12:37 pm

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Holy Thursday is an annual Christian festival that falls on the Thursday prior to Easter Sunday. Preceded by Holy Wednesday and followed by Good Friday, Holy Thursday, also known as Maundy or Great and Holy Thursday, is the fifth day of Holy Week on the Christian calendar.

Four events are cherised on Holy Thursday: the washing of the disciples' feet by Jesus, the mystery of the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper, Christ's agony in the garden of Gethsemane, and Judas' betrayl of Jesus.

Across the globe, various sects and branches of Christianity have forged customs and traditions to celebrate the holy day. In the United Kingdom it is customary for the queen to give alms to deserving citizens by passing out "Maundy Money." Some cultures visit seven churches during the day as a testament to their faith. In Bulgaria tradition dictates that Holy Thursday is the day to colour their easter eggs and prepare for the last three days og Holy Week.

On April 9 Pope Benedict XVI participated in a foot washing ritual in which the pope himself washed the feet of twelve priests.

The feet-washing ceremony symbolizes humility and commemorates Jesus' last supper with his 12 apostles on the evening before his Good Friday crucifixion.

Bending over before each of the priests, who were seated in a row, Benedict poured water from a golden pitcher over one bare foot of each man, with the drops being caught in a golden basin. Then the pope dried the feet with a simple white cloth.

It is traditional to abstain from meat, dairy, and alcohol throughout Holy Week and to fast on Good Friday and Holy Saturday.