With the setting of the sun on Maundy Thursday, the Easter Triduum begins. Triduum literally means “three days” and stretches from sunset on Maundy Thursday, through Good Friday and to sunset on Easter. These holy days became a recognized part of the Christian liturgical year by the fourth century. We continue to celebrate them within the Church today to prepare us for meeting the resurrected Christ on the third day.
Maundy comes from Old French (mandé), spoken from 1000–1300 C.E. and from the Latin mandatum novum (a new commandment). Jesus commands the disciples “to love one another” (John 13:24) after he washes their feet and shares a meal the night before Passover. For many, footwashing is a common liturgical rite of Maundy Thursday. Also Holy Communion or Eucharist traditionally occurs on Maundy Thursday. A Maundy Thursday service leads us from the last supper of Jesus to the betrayal and crucifixion.
On Good Friday we meditate on the meaning of Jesus’ crucifixion.
Source: www.ucc.org/worship/ways
