Maundy Thursday, also known as Holy Thursday, Covenant Thursday, and Thursday of Mysteries, is the Christian feast or holy day falling on the Thursday before Easter, commemorating the Last Supper of Jesus Christ. It is the fifth day of the Holy Week, and is followed by Good Friday. The date is generally between 19 of March and 22 of April. In the Julian calender, the date of Easter corresponds throughout the twenty-first century to 1st of April and 5th of May in the more commonly used Gregorian calendar.
The Mass of the Lord's Supper initiates the Easter Triduum, the three days of Friday, Saturday and Sunday that commemorate the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus.
The Washing of the Feet is a traditional component of the celebration in many Christian Churches, including the Armenian, Ethopian, Eastern Orthodox, Eastern Catholic, Brethan,
Mennonite, and Roman Catholic Churches, is becoming increasingly popular as a part of the Maundy Thursday liturgy in various churches, as well as in other Protestant denominations.
In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Lenten character of the services is for the most part set aside, 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 Slavic practice).
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.
