Maundy Thursday & Stripping of the Altar

Church/Sanctuary, Narthex – Church

For centuries upon centuries Christians have been gathering together to retrace these last steps of Christ. And since we believe that these last three days cannot be separated one from another, we celebrate them all as one liturgy. You will notice that from Maundy Thursday until the Great Vigil, there are no dismissals, only pauses until we gather again. From the intimate, humble service we offer each other on Maundy Thursday, to our time spent in contemplation at the foot of the Cross on Good Friday, to the new light piercing the darkness at the Great Vigil of the Resurrection on Saturday, these services stand as one.

Maundy Thursday gets its name from the Latin word Mandatum, meaning “commandment.” It is Jesus’ final commandment to his followers, “Love one another as I have loved you,” that we remember today. In John’s Gospel, Jesus demonstrates this love of other in the humble act of washing his disciples’ feet, where he gives the admonition, “Do this for one another.”

The service concludes with the stripping of the altar and the extinguishing of the sanctuary lamp. All are invited to depart the worship service in silence.