Maundy Thursday: What is it and how is it celebrated?

These are the Maundy coins, traditionally handed out to members of the public by the monarch on the last Thursday before Easter

Maundy Thursday is part of the Christian celebration of Easter and marks the night of the Last Supper as told in the Bible.

The date it falls changes each year. It takes place on the Thursday before Easter Day, and in 2025 this is April 17.

The word Maundy comes from the Latin, mandatum, or command, which refers to the instructions Jesus gave his disciples at the Last Supper.

At the Last Supper, Jesus - who Christians believe is the son of God - blessed the bread and the wine, sharing them with his disciples.

Jesus commanded that people should love one another and encouraged his disciples to eat bread and wine after his death.

He then washed the feet of his disciples as an act of kindness.

Find out how the day is marked here.

How is Maundy Thursday celebrated?

The Pope leads the Chrism Mass for Holy Thursday, during which the oils to be used in religious ceremonies throughout the coming year are blessed

Maundy Thursday is also known as Holy Thursday, in some countries it's a public holiday.

It is a key day in the Christian calendar and marks the end of Lent, a time for reflection for Christians that follows Shrove Tuesday, or Pancake Day.

Maundy Thursday is part of Holy Week and is always the last Thursday before Easter.

To celebrate Maundy Thursday, the Pope - who is the head of the Roman Catholic Church - traditionally washes and kisses the feet of 12 people - usually members of the church.

What happens on Maundy Thursday in the UK?

King Charles attended the Maundy service at York Minster in 2023

The King or Queen of the United Kingdom is also the head of the Church of England.

They mark Maundy Thursday each year with a special service.

This year, Durham Cathedral will host the Royal Maundy Service.

Durham Cathedral says that as part of the service, King Charles will present 152 people - 76 men and 76 women - with "specially minted Maundy money".

This is to thank them for their work as Christians. The number of women and men awarded Maundy money are meant to reflect the age of King Charles, who is 76.

King Charles recorded a message for the Maundy Thursday service in Worcester Cathedral

Maundy money are special coins handed out by the British monarch. Each person receives two purses, one red and one white, and inside are the Maundy coins.

In 2024 the King wasn't able to attend public events while he had treatment for cancer so he recorded a message that was played at the service at Worcester Cathedral.

Queen Camilla was instead at the service, where she handed out Maundy money.