Orthodox Maundy Thursday, also known as Great and Holy Thursday, is one of the most important days in the Eastern Orthodox Church's observance of Holy Week. It commemorates the Last Supper, the institution of the Eucharist, and Jesus's washing of the disciples' feet, as well as the betrayal of Jesus by Judas. It serves as a profound moment of reflection on Christ's humility, love, and sacrifice.

Table of Contents

1. When is Orthodox Maundy Thursday?
2. The History of Orthodox Maundy Thursday?
3. What Do People Do on This Day?
4. The Last Supper Story?

When is Orthodox Maundy Thursday?

Orthodox Maundy Thursday is observed on the Thursday before Orthodox Easter Sunday, during Holy Week. The date varies each year because Orthodox Easter is determined based on the Julian calendar and the timing of the Paschal full moon.

The following is the list of Orthodox Maundy Thursday from 2020 to 2049.

The History of Orthodox Maundy Thursday?

Orthodox Maundy Thursday has a profound history rooted in the events of the Last Supper, which is central to Christian theology.

The biblical origins of Maundy Thursday include the Last Supper, the washing of feet, and the prayer in Gethsemane. During this Passover meal, Jesus instituted the Eucharist, offering bread and wine as His body and blood, establishing a central practice of Christian worship. In John's Gospel, Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, an act of humility and servanthood. After the meal, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray, experiencing profound anguish but submitting to God's will.

From the earliest days of Christianity, the events of the Last Supper were central to the faith. The practice of the Eucharist, rooted in Jesus's words at the Last Supper, became the heart of Christian worship.

By the 4th century, Orthodox Maundy Thursday became a distinct observance within Holy Week. Theological emphasis was placed on Jesus's humility, His commandment of love, and the significance of the Eucharist as the New Covenant.

The First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD formalized the date of Easter and established Holy Week as a liturgical period. Orthodox Maundy Thursday became a key day in the Orthodox liturgical calendar.

In mondern days, churches worldwide hold special services focusing on unity, humility, and the shared Eucharist, and it is a day that many Christians engage in acts of kindness, such as feeding the poor or visiting the sick.

What Do People Do on This Day?

On Orthodox Maundy Thursday, Christians worldwide engage in a variety of religious ceremonies, acts of service, and personal reflections to commemorate the events of the Last Supper, the institution of the Eucharist, and Jesus's washing of the disciples' feet.

The Divine Liturgy is celebrated in the morning or early afternoon, focusing on the Eucharist, which was instituted by Jesus during the Last Supper. Worshippers partake in Holy Communion, emphasizing unity with Christ and the Church.

People may participate in the Evening Service of the Twelve Gospels, and this service includes readings of 12 Gospel passages recounting the events of Christ's Passion, starting with the Last Supper and ending with His crucifixion. In some Orthodox communities, a priest or bishop reenacts Jesus's act of washing His disciples' feet, symbolizing humility and servanthood.

Many Orthodox Christians observe strict fasting on Maundy Thursday, avoiding meat, dairy, and sometimes oil, as a form of spiritual discipline. The faithful spend time in prayer and contemplation of Jesus's sacrifice, reflecting on the themes of love, humility, and betrayal.

Families traditionally dye eggs red on this day, symbolizing the blood of Christ and the promise of resurrection. These eggs are used in Paschal celebrations. Community members gather at church to participate in services and rituals, emphasizing the unity of the faith.

Inspired by Jesus's humility, people engage in charitable acts, such as helping those in need or visiting the sick.

The Last Supper Story?

The Last Supper is one of the most significant events in Christian theology, marking the final meal Jesus Christ shared with His disciples before His crucifixion. It is commemorated on Maundy Thursday during Holy Week and holds deep spiritual and symbolic meaning for Christians worldwide.

The Last Supper occurred during the Jewish Passover, a festival commemorating the Israelites' liberation from slavery in Egypt. Jesus instructed His disciples to prepare a room in Jerusalem for the meal.

During the meal, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and said, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me". He then took a cup of wine and said, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you". This act established the Eucharist, a central sacrament in Christianity. After the meal, Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, an act of humility and service, and he commanded them to love one another as He loved them.

In many countries, the Last Supper is reenacted or symbolically remembered during Holy Week through meals, processions, or passion plays.

The Last Supper is a foundational moment in Christianity, encapsulating the essence of Jesus's teachings and His redemptive mission. It emphasizes the importance of the Eucharist as a means of spiritual nourishment and unity within the Christian community.