What is Holy Week and what does each day symbolize?

By Brandon Showalter, Opinion writer and social commentator Twitter
Within the Royal Academy’s Collection Gallery is a full-size copy of Leonardo da Vinci’s 'Last Supper,' painted by one or more of his pupils.
Within the Royal Academy’s Collection Gallery is a full-size copy of Leonardo da Vinci’s "Last Supper," painted by one or more of his pupils. | PRUDENCE CUMING ASSOCIATES/ROYAL ACADEMY OF ARTS, LONDON

Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday, also known as Holy Thursday, Covenant Thursday, Great and Holy Thursday, Sheer Thursday and Thursday of Mysteries, refers to the Thursday before Easter Sunday.

According to BibleGateway, the consensus definition of "Maundy" means "commandment," and is derived from the Latin word Mandatum, itself from the verb Mandare.

The commandment this word refers to is the one Jesus expressed in John 13:34-35 at the Last Supper to His disciples: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

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Churches often mark this day with a foot-washing service and a subsequent stripping of the altar of its vestments.

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