Today is Maundy Thursday but what does that mean? Here is all you need to know about the Easter weekend and why we celebrate it.
What is Maundy Thursday?
Maundy Thursday is the holy day before Good Friday. This day celebrates the last supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles. The Last Supper was when Jesus told the apostles what was to happen over the next few days, telling of a betrayal.
The story also tells of Jesus washing the disciples' feet in an act of humility, which then became a tradition in different congregations around the world.
How is it celebrated today?
A lot of people go to mass during this holy week to celebrate the life of Jesus.
Hundreds of years ago there was a tradition at Westminster Abbey and churches around the world where they would wash the feet of worshippers. This still happens today but is less popular.
The Queen attends a Royal Maundy service and hands out ‘Maundy money’ to pensioners from local communities.
They are chosen because of the Christian service they have given to the Church and the community. There are as many recipients as there are years in the sovereign’s age.
What is Good Friday?
Good Friday is when Christians mark Jesus’s crucifixion.
How is it celebrated?
Mass is held to go through the stations of the cross, which is the story from the Last Supper and follows the story of his death and burial.
The priest will explain each station of the cross and there will sometimes be hymns sang after each station.
This mass can take anywhere between half an hour and up to two or three hours depending on the length of the service and the version of the story read.
Why do we celebrate Easter Sunday?
Easter Sunday is to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus after his death and burial. It is said that three days after his crucifixion, Jesus broke from the tomb he was laid dead in, and this to some proves then he was the son of God.
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