Maunday Thursday

Maundy Thursday is a major fes val of the church year. It is the Thursday before Easter, so its date is determined by the date of Easter. The term Maundy comes from the La n man-datum, which means “commandment”. The day was called Maundy Thursday because it was on this night that Jesus said, “Love one another” (John 13:34). This festival commemorates the institution of the Lord’s Supper because it was also on the night that Jesus gave His disciples (and the church) the Sacrament of His body and blood. On Maundy Thursday the preferred service is the Divine Service. Immediately after the Benediction, the Pastor and the Altar Guild members will strip the altar. Once the sacred vessels, linens, candles and missal stand (with Bible) and remaining linens and parament have been removed, the altar will be draped in black and the black parament will be placed on the…