The Liturgy of Maundy Thursday

On Maundy Thursday, we remember the Last Supper, beginning the special three-day cycle of traditional Holy Week and Easter services known as the Sacred Triduum.

The Liturgy of Maundy Thursday marks the beginning of the final act of the Passion narrative. We remember Jesus and his disciples celebrating together the Passover, where Jesus washes their feet as a sign of humility and gives them his final commandment: to love one another as he has loved them (inspiring the name of 'Maundy' Thursday, from the Latin word for command: mandatum). Following Jesus' example, it is traditional for priests to wash the feet of some members of the congregation during Maundy Thursday services, and if you would like to participate in the liturgy in this way please email the Succentor at catherine.cleghorn@chch.ox.ac.uk.

Their time of fellowship ends in bitterness, when Judas reveals his impending betrayal and goes into the night to begin the events that lead to Jesus' condemnation and death, while Jesus goes to the garden of Gethsemane. The service ends in silence with the altars and sanctuary stripped of their vestments. You are invited to witness this and remain in the Cathedral until midnight in silent watch if you wish.

Image: The Last Supper; a Night Piece. Italian (Venetian) School. (c) Christ Church Picture Gallery