110-658: Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday , among other names, is the day during Holy Week that commemorates the Washing of the Feet (Maundy) and Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles, as described in the canonical gospels . It is the fifth day of Holy Week, preceded by Holy Wednesday (Spy Wednesday) and followed by Good Friday . "Maundy" comes from the Latin word mandatum , or commandment, reflecting Jesus' words "I give you
220-699: A Lovefeast on Good Friday as they receive Holy Communion on Maundy Thursday . Communicants of the Moravian Church practice the Good Friday tradition of cleaning gravestones in Moravian cemeteries . Holy Saturday is the day between the crucifixion of Jesus and his resurrection. As the Sabbath day , the Gospel accounts all note that Jesus was hurriedly buried in a cave tomb after his crucifixion, with
330-667: A forefeast , and remains until the apodosis (final day of the afterfeast ). Under Western influence, black is often used in the Slavic churches for funerals, weekdays of Great Lent, and Holy Week as a sign of penance and mourning, but in the second half of the 20th century, the ancient white became more common, as a sign of the hope of the Resurrection. In the tradition of the Russian Orthodox Church , up to nine different liturgical colours may be used throughout
440-492: A 'Last Supper' meal in anticipation of the next day's fast. Holy Week Holy Week ( Koinē Greek : Ἁγία καὶ Μεγάλη Ἑβδομάς , romanized: Hagía kaì Megálē Hebdomás , lit. 'Holy and Great Week') is the most sacred week in the liturgical year in Christianity . For all Christian traditions, it is a moveable observance . In Eastern Christianity , which also calls it Great Week , it
550-630: A choir inside the open doors of the church sings the Miserere by Manoel Dias de Oliveria, while the black box is brought inside the church, and people come in to kiss the human-sized figure of Christ. Processions on Tuesday and Wednesday stop at different chapels at each of which a large painting portrays episodes of the Way of the Cross and a related hymn is sung at each. On Thursday morning the Chrism Mass
660-794: A church). The Mass of the Lord's Supper commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus with his Twelve Apostles , "the institution of the Eucharist , the institution of the priesthood , and the commandment of brotherly love that Jesus gave after washing the feet of his disciples." All the bells of the church , including altar bells, may be rung during the Gloria in Excelsis Deo of the Mass (the Gloria
770-613: A cross-section of the community. In 2016, it was announced that the Roman Missal had been revised to allow women to participate as part of the 12 in the Mandatum. Previously, only males partook of the rite. Others theorize that the English name "Maundy Thursday" arose from "maunds" or baskets or "maundy purses" of alms which the king of England distributed to certain poor at Whitehall before attending Mass on that day. Thus, "maund"
880-647: A distinction between the colour of the vestments worn by the clergy and their choir dress , which with a few exceptions does not change with the seasons of the liturgical year . In the Roman Rite , as reformed by Pope Paul VI , the following colours are used, in accordance with the rubrics of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal , Section 346. On more solemn days, i.e. festive, more precious, sacred vestments may be used, even if not of
990-401: A drama is performed by the youth. Liturgical colors Liturgical colours are specific colours used for vestments and hangings within the context of Christian liturgy . The symbolism of violet, blue, white, green, red, gold, black, rose, and other colours may serve to underline moods appropriate to a season of the liturgical year or may highlight a special occasion. There is
1100-813: A harmony of the Gospel stories, responding to the actions in hymns, prayers and litanies, beginning on the eve of Palm Sunday and culminating in the Easter Morning or Easter Sunrise service begun by the Moravians in 1732. Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, complete: Palm and Passion Sunday (Latin Dominica in Palmis de Passione Domini ). Traditionally, Palm Sunday commemorates the Triumphal entry into Jerusalem described in all four canonical gospels . As described in these accounts, Christ's entry into Jerusalem
1210-520: A kiss like Judas . But like the Thief will I confess Thee: Remember me, O Lord, in Thy Kingdom . When necessary to replenish the sacrament for communing the sick at a time not following a divine liturgy , an additional Lamb (Host) is consecrated on this day, intincted , covered, and left to dry until Holy Saturday when it is divided, completely dried with a candle flame, and the pieces placed in
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#17327724705671320-639: A new commandment." The date of the day will vary according to whether the Gregorian calendar or the Julian calendar is used. Eastern churches generally use the Julian system. Use of the names "Maundy Thursday", "Holy Thursday", and others is not evenly distributed. The generally accepted name for the day varies according to geographical area and religious affiliation. Thus, although in England "Maundy Thursday"
1430-480: A noun refers to a small basket held out by maunders as they maunded. Other sources reject this etymology. Maundy Thursday initiates the Paschal Triduum , the period which commemorates the passion , death , and resurrection of Jesus . This period includes Good Friday and Holy Saturday , and ends on the evening of Easter Sunday. The Mass of the Lord's Supper or service of worship is normally celebrated in
1540-588: A practice also kept in other denominations. In the Catholic Church, on this day the private celebration of Mass is forbidden. Thus, apart from the Chrism Mass for the blessing of the Holy Oils that the diocesan bishop may celebrate on the morning of Holy Thursday , but also on some other day close to Easter, the only Mass on this day is the evening Mass of the Lord's Supper , which inaugurates
1650-716: Is Vespers combined with the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great at which is read a Composite Gospel, primarily taken from Matthew , but with episodes inserted from John ( the Washing of the Feet ) and Luke ( Jesus sweating blood ), 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
1760-924: Is chanted or recited. Tenebrae liturgies are celebrated by some parishes of the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church , the Polish National Catholic Church , the Lutheran Churches , the Moravian Church , the Anglican Communion , the Methodist Churches , and Western Rite Orthodoxy within the Eastern Orthodox Church . Maundy Thursday (also known as Holy Thursday) commemorates the Last Supper , where Christ lays out
1870-512: Is a 1967 restoration of the rite recorded in the early 200s by the historian Hippolytus who writes of a ceremony taking place during the Easter Vigil at which two holy oils were blessed and one was consecrated. In the decree renewing this rite Pope Paul VI said, "The Chrism Mass is one of the principal expressions of the fullness of the bishop's priesthood and signifies the closeness of the priests with him." The Holy Oils are: The oil of
1980-426: Is a celebration of the institution of the priesthood. During the Mass, those present are called to renew their baptismal promises. Priests/ministers and deacons also reaffirm their ministry by renewing the promises made at their ordination. The Mass takes its name from the blessing of the holy oils used in the sacraments throughout the year, which are then given to priests to take back to their parishes. The service
2090-546: Is a custom dating back to King Edward I . The red purse contains regular currency and is given in place of food and clothing. The white purse has money in the amount of one penny for each year of the Sovereign's age. Since 1822, rather than ordinary money, the Sovereign gives out Maundy coins , which are specially minted 1, 2, 3 and 4 penny pieces, and are legal tender. The service at which this takes place rotates around English and Welsh churches, though in 2008 it took place for
2200-533: Is celebrated, with a blessing of the oils. Good Friday afternoon ceremonies are followed by the week's main spectacle of the Taking Down from the Cross in front of the cathedral followed by the Funeral Procession of Our Dead Lord. The drama shows Christ being taken from the cross and placed in a coffin, which is then taken around to the accompaniment of the "Song of Veronica". On Saturday morning
2310-530: Is connected to the Latin mendicare , and French mendier , to beg. A source from the Shepherd of the Springs, Lutheran Church likewise states that, if the name was derived from the Latin mandatum , we would call the day Mandy Thursday, or Mandate Thursday, or even Mandatum Thursday. The term "Maundy" comes from the Latin mendicare , Old French mendier , and English maund , which as a verb means to beg and as
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#17327724705672420-446: Is customary to have a blessing of palm leaves or other branches, for example olive branches. The blessing ceremony includes the reading of a Gospel account of Jesus humbly riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, reminiscent of a Davidic victory procession, and people placing palm and other branches on the ground before him. Immediately following this great time of celebration over the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem, he begins his journey to
2530-692: Is followed by a psalm or canticle (such as Exodus 15:1–18 and a prayer relating what has been read to the Mystery of Christ. After the Old Testament readings conclude, the Gloria in excelsis Deo , which has been suspended during Lent, is intoned and bells are rung. A reading from the Epistle to the Romans is proclaimed. The Alleluia is sung for the first time since the beginning of Lent. The Gospel of
2640-634: Is forbidden until after Thomas Sunday . Oriental Orthodox Churches celebrate Covenant Thursday during Holy Week (based on their local calendars). They offer praises and vespers every day of week, and on Thursday and Saturday they remain in church praising God and reading about the First Liturgy and Judas' Betrayal. On Saturday they sing praises for the Entrance of the Messiah in Hades freeing all of
2750-468: Is gone. The lamp or candle usually situated next to the tabernacle denoting the presence of Christ is blown out. In the Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, and Presbyterian traditions, the Easter Vigil, one of the longest and most solemn of liturgical liturgies, lasts up to three or four hours, consists of four parts: The Liturgy begins after sundown on Holy Saturday as the crowd gathers inside
2860-523: Is not traditionally sung on Sundays in Lent). The bells then fall silent and the organ and other musical instruments may be used only to support the singing until the Gloria at the Easter Vigil . The Roman Missal recommends that, if considered pastorally appropriate, the priest should, immediately after the homily, celebrate the rite of washing the feet of customarily twelve men, recalling the number of
2970-635: Is often called an " altar of repose ". In some places, notably the Philippines and Malta, Catholics will travel from church to church praying at each church's altar of repose in a practice called "Visita Iglesia" or Seven Churches Visitation . In Lutheran, Anglican and Methodist churches, the altar has black paraments or the altar cloths are removed altogether. At the conclusion of the Maundy Thursday liturgy in Lutheran Churches,
3080-597: Is reduced." In some countries, such as Malta, Philippines, Italy, and Spain processions with statues representing the Passion of Christ are held. In some parishes of the Anglican Church, Catholic Church, Lutheran Church, and Methodist Church, the " Three Hours Devotion " is observed. This traditionally consists of a series of sermons, interspersed with singing, one on each of the Seven Last Words from
3190-667: Is the name of the Christian rite of footwashing, which traditionally occurs during Maundy Thursday church services. The English word maundy in the name for the day is derived through Middle English and Old French mandé , from the Latin mandatum (also the origin of the English word "mandate"), the first word of the phrase " Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos " ("A new commandment I give unto you: That you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another.") By this statement in chapter 13 of
3300-585: Is the normal term, the term "Holy Thursday" is more commonly used in Ireland, Scotland, Canada and the United States. The latter is the official name used in English by the Catholic Church in England and Wales. The Book of Common Prayer of the Church of England , which is the mother Church of the Anglican Communion , uses the name "Maundy Thursday" for this observance. The corresponding publication of
3410-406: Is the week following Great Lent and Lazarus Saturday , starting on the evening of Palm Sunday and concluding on the evening of Great Saturday . In Western Christianity , Holy Week is the sixth and last week of Lent , beginning with Palm Sunday and concluding on Holy Saturday . Holy Week begins with the commemoration of Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday , marks
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3520-700: Is used by all the member churches of the Eastern Orthodox Church , the Byzantine Lutheran Churches and the Eastern Catholic Churches of Byzantine Rite, does not have a universal system of colours, with the service-books of the Byzantine tradition only specifying "light" or "dark" vestments. In the Greek tradition, maroon or burgundy are common for solemn feast days, and a wide variety of colours are used at other times,
3630-686: Is used for Advent. White is used for Christmas, Epiphany, Sundays of Easter, Holy Trinity, and Christ the King. For Lent, purple is used. During the time after Pentecost and the Epiphany, green is used. Both the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) and the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) use a similar system, but with purple being the primary colour for both Advent and Lent (with blue being
3740-555: Is widely observed as a fast day . A Handbook for the Discipline of Lent recommends the Lutheran guideline to "fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday with only one simple meal during the day, usually without meat". Western Catholic Church practice is to have only one full meal with, if needed, two small snacks that together do not make a full meal. The Anglican Communion defines fasting more generically as: "The amount of food eaten
3850-501: The Gloria Patri . Due to the new trend of late Mass times (sometimes 7 or 8 pm) to allow for more churchgoers, eight churches are the maximum number visited (even in the city area, where these are closer to each other than in outer residential areas) before these close at midnight. A festive atmosphere exists, with the sale of drinks, hot cross buns and other local snacks like the traditional kueh ko chee . Observant Catholics have
3960-486: The 1962 Roman Missal , which incorporates them, differ from the current rubrics in the following respects: Pope Pius X raised the rank of the Sundays after Epiphany and Pentecost, so that on those that fell within common octaves, green was used instead of the colour of the octave, as had previously been the rule; on Sundays after Pentecost that fell within privileged octaves (i.e., the octaves of Corpus Christi and of
4070-512: The Anglo-Catholic Revival of the 19th century, certain Church of England churches began adopting Sarum liturgical colours as an attempt to produce something that was an English expression of Catholicism rather than a Roman expression. One of the chief advocates behind this was Percy Dearmer . The exact colours used by the mediaeval Sarum rite are a matter of dispute, but colours adopted by contemporary churches claiming to use
4180-556: The Easter Vigil . After the homily the washing of feet may be performed. The Blessed Sacrament remains exposed, at least in the Catholic Mass, until the service concludes with a procession taking it to the place of reposition . The altar is later stripped bare, as are all other altars in the church except the Altar of Repose. In pre-1970 editions, the Roman Missal of the Catholic Church envisages this being done ceremonially, to
4290-445: The Ethiopian Orthodox Church and the Ethiopian Catholic Church , embraces a wide variety of liturgical colours. In Eritrea , similar traditions are followed. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) uses a similar colour scheme as that of the Anglicans and their Scandinavian Lutheran counterparts, with the use of gold only for the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday services and Holy Week using scarlet rather than crimson. Blue
4400-453: The Great Feasts and emphasize the theme of resurrection. Many television channels air films related to Holy Week, such as The Ten Commandments , The Greatest Story Ever Told and The Jesus Film . Holy Week in the liturgical year is the week immediately before Easter. The earliest allusion to the custom of marking this week as a whole with special observances is to be found in the Apostolical Constitutions (v. 18, 19), dating from
4510-408: The Kerala State of India . Certain German states declare a public holiday for public sector employees. In the UK, civil servants were traditionally granted a half-day holiday (known as "privilege leave") on this date, but that was abolished, by David Cameron, after 2012. The tradition of visiting seven churches on Holy Thursday is an ancient practice, probably originating in Rome . and occurs among
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4620-404: The Last Supper , Christian denominations who observe this day universally celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion , which they teach was instituted by Jesus on this night. In the Catholic Church, the Lutheran Church and in certain Anglican congregations, the Mass of the Lord's Supper begins as usual, but the Gloria is accompanied by the ringing of church bells , which are then silent until
4730-426: The Lutheran Church , and certain Reformed Churches . Certain Presbyterian Churches use the term "Maundy Thursday" to refer to the holy day in their official sources. In the Byzantine Rite the name for the holy day is "Great and Holy Thursday" or "Holy Thursday", and in Western Rite Orthodoxy "Maundy Thursday", "Holy Thursday" or both. The Coptic Orthodox Church uses the term "Covenant Thursday" or "Thursday of
4840-410: The Philippines the tradition is called Visita Iglesia ( Spanish , "church visit") – people visit churches to pray, usually reciting the Stations of the Cross . It is a chiefly urban custom, as churches are located closer to each other in cities , and supposedly because it originates in visiting the seven churches of Intramuros that stood until the 1945 Bombing of Manila . The original purpose of
4950-455: The Sabbatum Magnum ("Great Sabbath", i.e., Holy Saturday or Easter Eve) with its vigil , which in the early church was associated with an expectation that the second advent would occur on an Easter Day. Other writings that refer to related traditions of the early Church include, most notably, The Pilgrimage of Etheria (also known as The Pilgrimage of Egeria ), which details the whole observance of Holy Week at that time. Today, in
5060-435: The US Episcopal Church , which is another province of the Anglican Communion, also refers to the Thursday before Easter as "Maundy Thursday". Throughout the Anglican Communion, the term "Holy Thursday" is a synonym for Ascension Day . The Roman Rite of the Catholic Church uses the name "Holy Thursday" in its modern English-language liturgical books. The Latin books use the name Feria quinta in Cena Domini ("Thursday of
5170-418: The Western Christian Church , among Lutherans, Anglicans, Methodists, Presbyterians and Catholics, the liturgies used for Holy Week are nearly identical. In the Episcopal Church, the main U.S. branch of the Anglican Communion, the 1979 Book of Common Prayer identifies Holy Week--comprising Palm Sunday (Sunday of the Passion) through Holy Saturday--as a separate season after Lent, rather than as part of it; but
5280-405: The artophorion . In cathedrals and monasteries the ceremony of the Washing of Feet is normally performed. When there is need to consecrate more chrism , that is performed by patriarchs and other 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 dark colour, to signify the beginning of
5390-454: The betrayal of Jesus on Spy Wednesday ( Holy Wednesday ), climaxing with the commemoration of the Mystical or Last Supper on Maundy Thursday ( Holy Thursday ) and the Passion of Jesus on Good Friday ( Holy Friday ). Holy Week concludes with Christ's rest in death and descent into hell on Holy Saturday . Christians believe that Jesus rested in death from the ninth hour (3 pm) on Good Friday until just before dawn on Sunday morning,
5500-460: The "lectern and pulpit are [also] left bare until Easter to symbolize the humiliation and barrenness of the cross." Methodist custom holds that apart from depictions of the Stations of the Cross , other images (such as the altar cross) continue the Lenten habitude of being veiled. In the Catholic Church, the altars of the church (except the one used as the altar of repose) are later stripped quite bare and, as much as possible, crosses are removed from
5610-400: The "odor of sanctity" to which those who are marked with it, are called to strive. With respect to Anglicanism, the 1979 Book of Common Prayer (p. 307) calls for chrism to be consecrated by the bishop. In many dioceses, the consecration of chrism by the bishop may be done at a service of reaffirmation of ordination vows during Holy Week. During the Chrism Eucharist, the Bishop will bless
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#17327724705675720-508: The 'core volume' next to collects. The Church's published Lectionary now makes detailed suggestions for liturgical colour throughout the year, which corresponds almost exactly with the above table of Roman Rite (post-1969 usage) usage with five minor exceptions, and one more significant one: The colour scheme suggested by the Church of England also indicates where gold vestments should be used in those churches that possess gold and white as distinct colours. The use of rose-pink vestments, as in
5830-489: The 1911 Catholic Encyclopedia used the term "Maundy Thursday", and some Catholic writers use the same term either primarily, or alternatively. The Methodist Book of Worship for Church and Home (1965) uses the term "Maundy Thursday"; the Book of Worship (1992) uses the term "Holy Thursday", and other official sources of the United Methodist Church use both "Maundy Thursday" and "Holy Thursday". Both names are used by other Christian denominations as well, including
5940-420: The Covenant". In the Maronite Church and the Syriac Orthodox Church , the name is "Thursday of Mysteries". "Maundy Thursday" is the official name of the day in the civil legislation of England and the Philippines. The day has also been known in English as Shere Thursday (also spelled Sheer Thursday ), from the word shere (meaning "clean" or "bright"). This name might refer to the act of cleaning, or to
6050-424: The Cross , together with an introduction and a conclusion. Another pious exercise carried out on Good Friday is that of the Stations of the Cross , either within the church or outside. The celebration at the Colosseum with participation by the pope has become a traditional event. The Novena to the Divine Mercy begins on that day and lasts until the Saturday before the Feast of Mercy . Moravians hold
6160-402: The Deposit. The figure of Our Lord of the Stations, representing the blood-stained Jesus carrying the cross, is brought from the church in a large black box and displayed in the main square. Then it is solemnly taken to the church following a band and a procession of people. Outside the church, a sermon is delivered on the Easter story of Jesus Christ's death and resurrection. After the sermon,
6270-489: The ELCA, red is also worn on the last Sunday of October, in celebration of the Reformation on October 31, when Martin Luther nailed the 95 Theses onto the door of Wittenberg Castle Church. Most Anglican churches use the colours appointed in the Roman Rite, usually in its post-1969 form, with the exception of Sarum Blue replacing violet for Advent, but some use the earlier form, with, for instance, black in place of red on Good Friday . Some churches use black at Masses for
6380-407: The Easter Vigil liturgically belongs to Easter Sunday. On Holy Saturday, the Church waits at the Lord's tomb, in prayer and fasting, meditating on his Passion and Death and on his Descent into Hell and awaiting his Resurrection. The Church abstains from the Sacrifice of the Mass, with the sacred table left bare, until after the solemn Vigil, that is, the anticipation by night of the Resurrection, when
6490-418: The Easter Vigil, is the great feast day and apogee of the Christian liturgical year: on this day the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is celebrated. It is the first day of the new season of the Great Fifty Days, or Eastertide , which runs from Easter Day to Pentecost Sunday. The Resurrection of Christ on Easter Day is the main reason why Christians keep every Sunday as the primary day of religious observance. In
6600-408: The Eastertide, remaining in the sanctuary of the Church or near the lectern, and is kept in the baptistry throughout the liturgical year so that in the celebrations of baptisms the candles of the baptized may be lit from the candle. The candles of those present are lit from the Paschal candle. As this symbolic "light of Christ" spreads throughout those gathered, the darkness is decreased. A deacon, or
6710-429: The Gospel of John , Jesus explained to the Apostles the significance of his action of washing their feet. The phrase is used as the antiphon sung in the Roman Rite during the Maundy ( Ecclesiastical Latin : "Mandatum") ceremony of the washing of the feet, which may be held during Mass or as a separate event. A priest or bishop, representing Christ, ceremonially washes the feet of others, typically 12 persons chosen as
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#17327724705676820-494: The King Sunday are represented by white. Green is the colour for periods of Ordinary Time. Red is for Pentecost Sunday, but may also be used for ordinations, church anniversaries, and memorial services for ordained clergy. Red or purple are appropriate for Palm Sunday. During Holy Week, purple is used until the church is stripped bare on Maundy Thursday; the church remains stripped bare on Good Friday and Holy Saturday, though in some places black might be used on those days. Similarly,
6930-458: The Passion, either as a self-guided time of reflection and veneration or as a procession of statues or images of the stations. The evening liturgical celebration on Holy Thursday begins the first of three days in the Easter Triduum, which continues in an atmosphere of liturgical mourning throughout the next day, in spite of the name "Good" given in English to the day. For Catholic, Methodist, Lutheran, Reformed and Anglican Christians, Good Friday
7040-403: The Passion. Anticipating the Matins of Friday morning, the Holy Passion service of the reading of the Twelve Gospels is conducted. In these readings Christ's last instructions to his disciples are presented, as well as the prophecy of the drama of the Cross, Christ's prayer, and his new commandment. The twelve readings are: Beginning on Holy and Great Thursday, the memorial service for the dead
7150-402: The Resurrection then follows, together with the Responsorial psalmody . After the conclusion of the Liturgy of the Word, the water of the baptismal font is blessed and any catechumens or candidates for full communion are initiated into the church, by baptism or confirmation . After the celebration of these sacraments of initiation, the congregation renews their baptismal vows and receive
7260-408: The Roman Catholic Church, plenary indulgence is granted once a day by the 1999 Enchiridion Indulgentiarum , in the following cases: Cities famous for their Holy Week processions include: Holy Week has developed into one of Brazil's main symbols of community identity, more specifically in the southern town of Campanha. The Campanha Holy Week begins on the Monday evening with the Procession of
7370-423: The Roman Rite table above, was mentioned as an option in early editions of Common Worship, and is a listed option in the annual published lectionary; however, later Common Worship publications have begun to refer to this practice as "traditional" reflecting its resurgence. The Sarum Rite was a medieval liturgical rite used in England before the Reformation which had a distinct set of liturgical colours. After
7480-437: The Sacred Heart), the liturgical color of the feast was retained. The rules on liturgical colours before the time of Pope Pius X were essentially those indicated in the edition of the Roman Missal that Pope Pius V promulgated in 1570, except for the addition of feasts not included in his Missal. The scheme of colours in his Missal reflected usage that had become fixed in Rome by the twelfth century. The Byzantine Rite , which
7590-418: The Sarum scheme include in particular deep blue for Advent , which may be popularly referred to as "Sarum blue", and unbleached linen for Lent . Methodists use a colour scheme similar to those used by Lutherans and Roman Catholics. The United Methodist Church , prior to the early-1990s, used red solely for Pentecost, even including the Sundays after Pentecost Sunday, with the use of green being reserved for
7700-407: The Supper of the Lord"; the medieval spelling Cœna was used in place of Cena in documents predating the 1955 decree Maxima redemptionis ), along with Maundy Thursday as the English name, as given in The Saint Andrew Daily Missal . The personal ordinariates in the Catholic Church, which have an Anglican patrimony, retain the traditional English term "Maundy Thursday", however. An article in
7810-426: The accompaniment of Psalms 21–22 , a practice which continues in the Lutheran churches and Anglican churches of Anglo-Catholic churchmanship . In other Christian denominations , such as the Methodist Churches, the stripping of the altar and other items on the chancel also occurs, as a preparation for the somber Good Friday service. The stripping of the altar represents "the abandonment of Jesus by his disciples and
7920-783: The altar candles. Then the deacon or a cantor chants the Exultet , also called the "Easter Proclamation". After that, the people extinguish their candles and sit down for the Liturgy of the Word. The Liturgy of the Word includes nine readings, seven (or at least three) from the Old Testament , followed by two from the New (an Epistle and a Gospel). The reading of the crossing of the Red Sea (Ex 14) must never be omitted. Each Old Testament reading
8030-818: The alternate colour for Advent only), and the use of gold in place of white for both Christmas and Easter (in similar practice to the Catholic Church). In the WELS, the use of red is also done during the Period of End Times , a period of the Church regarding the teachings of the Book of Revelation, culminating in the creation of the New Jerusalem (corresponding to Christ the King in the ELCA). In all three churches, including
8140-535: The apostles. In the Catholic Church, Lutheran Churches of Evangelical Catholic churchmanship, and in Anglican churches of an Anglo-Catholic churchmanship, a sufficient number of hosts are consecrated for use also in the Good Friday liturgy, and at the conclusion the Blessed Sacrament is carried in procession to a place of reposition away from the main body of the church, which, if it involves an altar,
8250-671: The catechumens and chrism are used on the upcoming Holy Saturday at the Easter Vigil , for the baptism and confirmation of those entering the church. While the Oil of the Catechumens and the Oil of the Sick, are simply "blessed," the Sacred Chrism is "consecrated,". Holy chrism is a mixture of olive oil and balsam, an aromatic resin. Balsam is poured into the oil, which gives it a sweet smell intended to remind those who encounter it of
8360-483: The church (or veiled in the pre-Vatican II rite), crucifixes and statues are covered with violet covers during Passiontide, but the crucifix covers can be white instead of violet on Maundy Thursday). Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus and his subsequent death. Commemorations of often solemn and mournful, many denominations use Good Friday to perform the Stations of the Cross , or other commemorations of
8470-522: The colour of the day. Such vestments may, for instance, be made from cloth of gold or cloth of silver . Moreover, the Conference of Bishops may determine and propose to the Apostolic See adaptations suited to the needs and culture of peoples. Ritual Masses are celebrated in their proper colour or in white or in a festive colour. Masses for Various Needs, on the other hand, are celebrated in
8580-435: The colour proper to the day or the season or in violet if they bear a penitential character. Votive Masses are celebrated in the colour suited to the Mass itself or even in the colour proper to the day or the season. Some particular variations: The rules on liturgical colours in the 1960 Code of Rubrics , whose observance is still permitted in the circumstances indicated in the 2007 document Summorum Pontificum on use of
8690-542: The cross. The blessing is thus followed by a procession or solemn entrance into the church, with the participants holding the blessed branches in their hands. The liturgy includes the solemn reading of the Passion, the narrative of Christ's capture, suffering and death, as recounted in one of the Synoptic Gospels . (In the Tridentine Mass the Passion is always that of St. Matthew.) Before the reform of
8800-429: The day of his resurrection from death , commonly known as Easter Sunday. However, in 1 Peter 3:19, there may be a clue as to a task Jesus performed during this period between death and resurrection: "By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison." This marks the beginning of the season of Eastertide , with its first week being known as Easter Week (Bright Week) . Holy Week liturgies generally attract
8910-492: The dead, but more commonly white or purple is used. For historical reasons much of the worldwide Anglican Communion takes a noticeable lead from the practice of the Church of England . Since the 1980 Alternative Service Book , liturgical colours have been recommended for seasons, with more detailed advice offered as part of the Common Worship series of liturgies, including colours for all Sundays and festivals printed in
9020-521: The diocese as possible together with the bishop. This Mass was not included in editions of the Roman Missal before the time of Pope Pius XII. In this Mass, the bishop blesses separate oils for the sick (used in Anointing of the Sick ), for catechumens (used in baptism ) and chrism (used in baptism, confirmation and the Holy Orders , as well as in rites such as the dedication of an altar and
9130-681: The evening, when Friday begins according to Jewish tradition, as the Last Supper was held on the feast of Passover , according to the three Synoptic Gospels . In the United Kingdom , the Royal Maundy service involves the Monarch offering "alms" to deserving senior citizens – one man and one woman for each year of the sovereign's age. These coins, known as Maundy money or Royal Maundy, are distributed in red and white purses, and
9240-464: The fact that churches would switch liturgical colors from the dark tones of Lent , or because it was customary to shear the beard on that day, or for a combination of reasons. This name has cognates in the Nordic languages, such as Danish skærtorsdag , Swedish skärtorsdag , Norwegian skjærtorsdag , Faroese skírhósdagur and skírisdagur , Icelandic skírdagur , and Finnish kiirastorstai . Maundy
9350-418: The faithful in countries around the world. In India , the custom is to visit fourteen churches, one per Station of the Cross . Traditionally, this is performed on Maundy Thursday evening but is more often done on the morning of Good Friday or on any day of Lent. Usually, whole families would participate, customarily fasting for the duration of the rite. It is also undertaken by parish devotional groups. In
9460-673: The faithful ones including Moses and Abraham. Maundy Thursday is a public holiday in most countries that were part of the Spanish empire ( Argentina , Colombia , Costa Rica , El Salvador , Guatemala , Honduras , Mexico , Nicaragua , Paraguay , Peru , the Philippines , Spain , Uruguay and Venezuela ), countries that were part of the Danish colonial empire ( Denmark , Iceland , Norway and United States Virgin Islands ), and in
9570-747: The first time in Northern Ireland at Armagh Cathedral . Until the death of King James II , the Monarch would also wash the feet of the selected poor people. There is an old sketch, done from life, of Queen Elizabeth I washing people's feet on Maundy Thursday. The Maundy (washing of the feet) is practised among many Christian groups on Maundy Thursday, including the Anglican / Protestant Episcopal , Armenian , Ethiopian , Lutheran , Methodist , Eastern Catholic , Schwarzenau (German Baptist) Brethren , Mennonite , Presbyterian and Roman Catholic traditions. With Maundy Thursday commemorating
9680-595: The house of Simon the Leper , especially the anointing of Jesus by Mary of Bethany , which directly preceded the betrayal of Jesus by Judas to the Sanhedrin. Tenebrae ( Latin for "shadows" or "darkness") is celebrated within Western Christianity during Holy Week, especially on Spy Wednesday . Tenebrae is distinctive for its gradual extinguishing of candles while a series of readings and psalms
9790-464: The intent to finish proper embalming and burial ceremonies on Sunday, after the Sabbath had ended, as the Sabbath day prohibitions would have prevented observant Jews from completing a proper burial. In the Catholic tradition after the Good Friday service, which represents the burial of Jesus, until the Easter Vigil on Saturday night, no mass takes place whatsoever on Holy Saturday. The celebration of
9900-447: The largest crowds of the year. Many Christian cultures have different traditions such as special liturgies or services, floats, sculptures or live reenactments of Christ's life, his arrest and crucifixion (also called the Lord's passion, the Passion of Christ or Passion of Jesus ); the latter are known as Passion Plays , which are often interdenominational productions. In Eastern Rite Churches there are also many means to commemorate
10010-485: The last days of Jesus Christ's life. Among them: On Holy Wednesday, the story of Judas arranging his betrayal of Jesus with the chief priests is remembered; he was a spy among the disciples of Jesus ( Matthew 26:14–25 ). For this reason, the day is sometimes called "Spy Wednesday". (In the Tridentine Mass the Passion according to St. Luke is read instead.) Other events connected with this date include events at
10120-561: The latter half of the 3rd century and 4th century. In this text, abstinence from flesh is commanded for all the days, while for the Friday and Saturday an absolute fast is commanded. Dionysius Alexandrinus in his canonical epistle (AD 260), refers to the 91 fasting days implying that the observance of them had already become an established usage in his time. There is some doubt about the genuineness of an ordinance attributed to Roman Emperor Constantine , in which abstinence from public business
10230-478: The model for the Eucharist or Holy Communion. During the meal, Jesus predicted the events that would immediately follow, including his betrayal, the Denial of Peter , and his death and resurrection. The liturgical celebration of the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday marks the beginning of the Paschal Triduum . Catholic and Lutheran parishes traditionally practice the foot washing (Maundy) ceremony on Maundy Thursday ,
10340-409: The most common of which are gold and white. Slavic-use churches and others influenced by Western traditions have adopted a cycle of liturgical colours. The particulars may change from place to place, but generally: The colours would be changed before Vespers on the eve of the day being commemorated. During Great Feasts, the colour is changed before the vespers service that begins the first day of
10450-694: The normal Mass was celebrated. Churches of many denominations , including the Lutheran, Catholic, Methodist, Anglican, Moravian and Reformed traditions, distribute palm branches to their congregations during their Palm Sunday liturgies. Christians take these palms, which are often blessed by clergy, to their homes where they hang them alongside Christian art (especially crosses and crucifixes ) or keep them in their Bibles or devotionals. The days between Palm Sunday and Maundy Thursday are known as Holy Monday , Holy Tuesday (Fig Tuesday), and Holy Wednesday (Spy Wednesday). There are traditional observances held by liturgical denominations to commemorate events from
10560-589: The oils used throughout the next year for baptisms and healing. In addition, the Bishop and clergy in attendance will reaffirm their Ordination Vows. In the Roman Catholic Church, plenary indulgence is obtained in the following cases: In the Eastern Orthodox Church , the liturgical colours are brighter, white being common. On this day alone during Holy Week, the fast is relaxed to permit consumption of wine and oil. The primary service of this day
10670-615: The period of three days known as the Easter Triduum , that includes Good Friday (seen as beginning with the liturgy of the preceding evening), Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday up to evening prayer on that day. The Chrism Mass, whose texts the Roman Missal and the rubrics used in Lutheran Churches now give under Maundy Thursday, but before the Paschal Triduum which begins that evening, may be brought forward early in Holy Week, to facilitate participation by as many clergy of
10780-487: The priest if there is no deacon, carries the Paschal Candle at the head of the entrance procession and, at three points, stops and chants the proclamation "The Light of Christ" (until Easter 2011, the official English text was "Christ our Light"), to which the people respond "Thanks be to God". Once the procession concludes with the singing of the third proclamation, the lights throughout the church are lit, except for
10890-454: The rite by Pope Pius XII , the blessing of the palms occurred inside the church within a liturgy that followed the general outline of a Mass, with Collect, Epistle and Gospel, as far as the Sanctus. The palms were then blessed with five prayers, and a procession went out of the church and on its return included a ceremony for the reopening of the doors, which had meanwhile been shut. After this
11000-683: The ritual was to venerate the Blessed Sacrament in the Altar of Repose on Maundy Thursday night, but since no prayers were prescribed (apart from those for the Pope ), the Stations of the Cross were recited. In Singapore , the visiting of churches occurs shortly after the evening Mass of the Lord's Supper. Prayers at each church consist of seven repetitions of the Lord's Prayer , Ave Maria , and
11110-650: The season of Kingdomtide , which usually lasted from late August/early September until Christ the King (the last Sunday in Kingdomtide). Since the publication of the 1992 Book of Worship , the UMC has followed the ELCA practice of wearing red only for Pentecost, Holy Week and Reformation Sunday and green for the rest of the Pentecost season. The Presbyterian Church (USA) , or its predecessor denominations, has sanctioned
11220-674: The sprinkling of baptismal water . The general intercessions follow. After the Liturgy of Baptism, the Liturgy of the Eucharist continues as usual. This is the first Mass of Easter Day. During the Eucharist, the newly baptised receive Holy Communion for the first time. According to the rubrics of the Missal , the Easter vigil "ends before the dawn on the Sunday". Easter Day (or Easter Sunday), which immediately follows Holy Week and begins with
11330-509: The stripping of Jesus by the soldiers before his crucifixion." The Chrism Mass is a religious service held in Roman Catholicism, Lutheranism and Anglicanism. Maundy Thursday is notable for being the day on which the Chrism Mass is celebrated in each diocese . Usually held in the diocesan cathedral , it is generally held on the morning of Maundy Thursday, but may in some dioceses take place on another day during Holy Week. The Mass
11440-500: The time comes for paschal joys, the abundance of which overflows to occupy fifty days. Holy Communion may only be given on this day as Viaticum . In some Anglican churches, including the Episcopal Church in the United States , there is provision for a simple liturgy of the word with readings commemorating the burial of Christ. The doors of the empty tabernacle of the main altar are left open, to symbolise that Jesus Christ
11550-555: The unlit church. In the darkness (often in a side chapel of the church building or, preferably, outside the church), a new fire is kindled and blessed by the priest. This new fire symbolizes the light of salvation and hope that God brought into the world through Christ's Resurrection, dispelling the darkness of sin and death. From this fire is lit the Paschal candle , symbolizing the Light of Christ. This Paschal candle will be used throughout
11660-580: The use of liturgical colours and promoted their use in The Worshipbook of 1970 , the 1993 Book of Common Worship and the 2018 Book of Common Worship. Advent and Lent are periods of preparation and repentance and are represented by the colour purple. Blue can be used for Advent instead of purple. The feasts of Christmas Day and Christmastide, Epiphany Sunday, Baptism of the Lord Sunday, Transfiguration Sunday, Easter Season, Trinity Sunday, and Christ
11770-419: The weekdays of Holy Week, like those of Lent, are Days of Special Devotion to be observed by special acts of discipline and self-denial, so the practical effect is the same as if Holy Week were considered part of Lent. In the Moravian Church , the Holy Week services ( Passion Week ) are extensive, as the congregation follows the life of Christ through His final week in daily services dedicated to readings from
11880-618: The year. Exact use of these colours varies, but the following are the most common uses: The Coptic tradition, followed by the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Coptic Catholic Church , only uses white vestments, with gold and silver being considered variations of white. The only exception is during Passion Week when black is used. Nonetheless, trimmings of red, gold or blue may be found on some vestments. The liturgical tradition of Ethiopia, followed by
11990-423: Was enforced for the seven days immediately preceding Easter Day, and also for the seven which followed it. The Codex Theodosianus , however, is explicit in ordering that all actions at law should cease, and the doors of all courts of law be closed during those 15 days (1. ii. tit. viii.). Of the particular days of the "great week" the earliest to emerge into special prominence was naturally Good Friday. Next came
12100-673: Was noted by the crowds present who shouted praises and waved palm branches . In the Roman Rite, before 1955 it was known simply as Palm Sunday, and the preceding Sunday as Passion Sunday. From 1955 to 1971 it was called Second Sunday in Passiontide or Palm Sunday. Among Lutherans and Anglicans, the day is known as the Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday. In many liturgical denominations, to commemorate Christ's entry into Jerusalem to accomplish his paschal mystery , it
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