The History of Holy Week (5): Maundy Thursday - The Night of the New Commandment

Maundy Thursday, also known as Holy Thursday, marks the beginning of the most solemn part of Holy Week. It commemorates the final evening Jesus spent with His disciples before His arrest, an evening filled with meaning, ritual, and the institution of traditions that would become central to Christian worship. The name “Maundy” comes from the Latin word mandatum, meaning “commandment,” referencing Jesus’ words to His disciples: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another as I have loved you.” This day, steeped in deep historical and biblical importance, begins the Triduum—the three holy days leading to Easter.