Western Christianity
On Maundy Thursday, a traditional component
of the celebration in many Christian Churches is washing of the feet, including
the Armenian, Ethiopian, Eastern Orthodox, Eastern Catholic, Brethren, Mennonite,
Presbyterian, and Roman Catholic Churches, and is becoming increasingly popular
as a part of the Maundy Thursday liturgy in the Anglican/Episcopal, Lutheran,
and Methodist Churches, as well as in other Protestant denominations. In the
Roman Catholic Church, the Mass of the Lord's Supper begins as usual, but the
Gloria is accompanied by the ringing of bells, which are then silent until the
Easter Vigil.
After the homily the washing of feet
may be performed. The service concludes with a procession taking the Blessed
Sacrament to the place of reposition. The altar is later stripped bare, as are
any other altars in the church. In pre-1970 editions, the Roman Missal envisages
this being done ceremonially, to the accompaniment of Psalm 21/22, a practice
which continues in many Anglican churches. In other Christian denominations,
such as the Lutheran Church or Methodist Church, the stripping of the altar
and other items on the chancel also occurs, as a preparation for the somber
Good Friday service.
Eastern Christianity
The Lenten
character of the services is for the most part set aside in the Eastern Orthodox
Church, and they follow a format closer to normal. The liturgical colours are
changed from the somber Lenten hues to more festive colours (red is common in
the Slavic practice). The primary service of this day is Vespers combined with
the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great. At this service is read the first Passion
Gospel (John 13:31-18:1), known as the "Gospel of the Testament",
and many of the normal hymns of the Divine Liturgy are substituted with the
following troparion:
Of Thy Mystical Supper, O Son of
God, accept me today as a communicant; for I will not speak of Thy Mystery to
Thine enemies, neither will I give Thee a kiss like Judas. But like the Thief
will I confess Thee: Remember me, O Lord, in Thy Kingdom.
In addition to the usual Preparation
for Holy Communion, the Orthodox faithful will often receive the Mystery of
Unction on Great Wednesday as preparation for the reception of Holy Communion
on Great Thursday. It is customary to cover the Altar table with a simple, white
linen cloth on this day, as a reminder of the Last Supper. On Great Thursday,
the Reserved Sacrament is customarily renewed, a new Lamb (Host) being consecrated
for the coming liturgical year, and the remainder from the previous year is
consumed.
The ceremony of the Washing of Feet will
normally be performed in monasteries and cathedrals. Because of the joy of the
Institution of the Eucharist, on this day alone during Holy Week wine and oil
are permitted at meals. Whenever there is need to consecrate more chrysm it
will be done on this day by the heads of the various autocephalous churches.
In the evening, after the Liturgy, all of the hangings and vestments are changed
to black or some other Lenten colour, to signify the beginning of the Passion.
Beginning on Holy and Great Thursday,
the celebration of the Lity (memorial service) is forbidden until Thomas Sunday
(the Sunday after Easter).
