Christian Holiday

Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday, also called Holy Thursday, is the Thursday of Holy Week, when Christians remember the Last Supper and Jesus washing his disciples' feet. Maundy Thursday 2027 falls on Thursday, March 25, 2027. Its name comes from the Latin mandatum, the new commandment to love one another.

Next: Thursday, March 25, 2027

When Is Maundy Thursday?

2027Next

Maundy ThursdayThursday, March 25, 2027

Orthodox Holy ThursdayThursday, April 29, 2027

2028

Maundy ThursdayThursday, April 13, 2028

Orthodox Holy ThursdayThursday, April 13, 2028

What Maundy Thursday Means

On the night before he died, Jesus shared a final meal with his disciples, instituted communion, and washed their feet as a model of humble love. The name comes from the Latin mandatum, commandment, from his words that night: love one another as I have loved you. Maundy Thursday holds together two of the deepest themes of the faith, servanthood and sacrificial love, on the eve of the crucifixion.

Maundy Thursday in the Bible

John 13:34-35KJV
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

1 Corinthians 11:23-25KJV
“For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.”

How Maundy Thursday Is Observed

Maundy Thursday is observed with communion services, and in many churches a foot-washing service in imitation of Jesus. Some traditions strip the altar bare at the end of the service to mark the approach of Good Friday.

Catholic

For Catholics, the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper begins the Easter Triduum. It includes the washing of feet, the transfer of the Eucharist to a place of repose, and the stripping of the altar. At the Chrism Mass, held that morning or earlier in Holy Week, bishops bless the holy oils.

Orthodox

Orthodox churches celebrate Holy Thursday with the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil joined to Vespers, remembering the Mystical Supper and Judas's betrayal. In cathedral churches the bishop may reenact the washing of feet.

Protestant

Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist and many other Protestant churches hold Holy Communion on Maundy Thursday evening. Some include foot washing, and some end with stripping the altar or a Tenebrae service as the lights are put out.

Where It Falls in the Christian Year

Maundy Thursday comes four days after Palm Sunday and is followed by Good Friday. The account of Jesus washing the disciples' feet is in John 13.

Maundy Thursday FAQ

When is Maundy Thursday 2027?

Maundy Thursday 2027 is Thursday, March 25, 2027, three days before Easter Sunday on March 28, 2027. Orthodox Holy Thursday in 2027 is April 29, 2027. In 2028, Maundy Thursday falls on April 13, 2028.

Why is it called Maundy Thursday?

Maundy comes from the Latin mandatum, meaning commandment. At the Last Supper Jesus said, A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you (John 13:34). The opening words of an old Latin chant for the foot washing gave the day its name.

What happened on Maundy Thursday?

On the night before he died, Jesus ate the Passover meal with his disciples, washed their feet, gave them bread and wine as his body and blood, and prayed in Gethsemane, where he was arrested after Judas betrayed him.

Is Maundy Thursday the same as Holy Thursday?

Yes. Holy Thursday and Maundy Thursday are two names for the same day. Catholics more often say Holy Thursday, while Anglicans and many Protestants say Maundy Thursday.

Why do churches wash feet on Maundy Thursday?

Jesus washed his disciples' feet and told them, ye also ought to wash one another's feet (John 13:14). Churches reenact it as a sign of humble service.

Does Lent end on Maundy Thursday?

In the Catholic Church, Lent ends at sundown on Holy Thursday, when the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper begins the Triduum, the three days of Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter. Other traditions count Lent through Holy Saturday.