An Introduction To The Maundy Thursday Service

Source: The Complete Library of Christian Worship, Robert E. Webber, General Editor

Below is a description of the meaning and content of the ancient Maundy Thursday service. Adapt this material to current usage and style.

In the ancient church the service of Maundy Thursday began the great triduum, the three great days of the paschal celebration. These were days of fasting and prayer, days when the final acts of Christ's saving work were remembered by the church. The day gets its name from the Latin mandatum novarum ("a new commandment"-John 13:34), which was translated...

 

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