Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday (also High, Holy Thursday or White or palm Thursday) is the German name for the fifth day of Holy Week and Holy Week. To commemorate him, the Christian churches of the Last Supper of Jesus with the twelve apostles on the evening before his crucifixion.
General
Holy Thursday is the day before Good Friday and one of the three Kart Agen in the strict sense. The Vespers begins on the evening of Holy Thursday, the so-called Triduum Sacrum (or Triduum Paschale ), so the celebration of the three paschal days ( Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday). As Commemoration of the Last Supper and the associated institution of the Eucharist by Jesus Christ himself the Maundy Thursday comes to a high rank in the liturgy. Since the Kartage not allow because of their fundamental character as a day of mourning and Mitvollzugs the Passion of Jesus a special splendor, since the Fourth Lateran Council is a particular need for the worship of the Real Presence of the Body and Blood of Christ, however, was created in the Eucharist, was in the Catholic Church introduced since the 13th century as the second Eucharistic feast after Easter the feast of Corpus Christi on the second Thursday after Pentecost, which thus has a close connection to the Holy Thursday.
Name
The front of the 15th century - according to Kluge - Mitzka around 1200 in central Germany - resulting name Maundy Thursday is limited in principle to the German language area and there is also only the most common in addition to several other names. The addition of Green Thursday ( MHG Grune dunrestag or Grüene donerstac ) is occupied since the 13th century. The Latin term this Viridium (literally "Day of the Greens " - is meant by absolution from sins and ecclesiastical penalties Liberated, meaning " Renewed, Fresh " according to the Gospel of Luke 23.31: " green wood " ) may not have been, as adopted by the linguistics long, the model for this German name, but seems to have originated in the 17th century.
The origin of the name is unclear, it compete especially four propositions, which need not necessarily mutually exclusive, since several factors in the origin of the name may have worked together:
Common Latin names of Holy Thursday are the Cenae domini ( "Day of the Lord's Supper " ), this absolutionis ( " day of forgiveness of sins " ), this indulgentiae ( " Ablasstag " ), this mandati ( "Day of the washing of the feet ", this was reorganized in English common name Maundy Thursday ), this azymorum ( "Day of Unleavened Bread " ) or consecratio chris matis ( " Chrisamweihe ", which takes place in the Roman liturgy on that day ); also the day can be used as quinta feria ( " fifth day " ) or this jovis ( " Thursday" ) with the additions magnus ( 'great' ), sacer ( "holy" ) or altus ("high" ) are referred to. In other languages the feast day usually "Holy Thursday" is ( so common in all the Romance languages and in addition Maundy Thursday also in English ) ( as for example in Polish Czwartek Wielki, in the Croatian veliki četvrtak and the Hungarian Nagycsütörtök ) or the " Big Thursday". In Czech, the day is called on the German model "Green Thursday" ( zelený čtvrtek ), in the Netherlands as mentioned "White Thursday" ( Witte Donderdag ), while in the Nordic region with the exception of Finland, where one of the " Thursday of the Lord" ( kiirastorstai ) speaking, the term " reaper Thursday" It is common practice (Swedish Skärtorsdagen, Danish Skærtorsdag ) what Swedish sources, to commemorate the washing of the feet, as "cut" ( swedish skära ) here in the meaning of " (be) clean " to understand is. In some German regions was very common before the name Antlaßtag ( " day of discharge from the sins ", " Ablasstag " ), which is similar to the previously used name in French jeudi absolute from the Latin absolutionis this or this is indulgentiae derive.
Regional Notwithstanding it was in earlier times called, among other things in Westphalia and the Thursday of Easter week ( that is, the Thursday after instead of before Easter) as " Green Thursday" ( Gronen donnerstagh ).
Liturgy
Roman Catholic Church
The Maundy Thursday the Triduum Sacrum, the three-day memory of the passion, death, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ peace begins ( "Easter" ). It is the highest-ranking Catholic feast. The Triduum begins liturgically on the evening of Holy Thursday with the Vespers and ends with the second Vespers of Easter Sunday.
Especially at the cathedral churches are celebrated with the community on Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday solemnly sung Karmetten.
In the Holy Mass on the evening of Holy Thursday (earliest start 16 clock, latest departure 20 clock ) is (ie the Eucharist ) thought of the Last Supper of Jesus and the establishment of the Sacrament. The subsequent simple procession with the Blessed Sacrament is the transition of Jesus to the Mount of Olives, where he prayed in agony and was arrested. In silent adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, in many places also called the Mount of Olives Hour, commemorate the faithful that night Jesus Arrest and Flagellation.
Holy Thursday was formerly one days of public forgiveness of sins, especially for those occupied with ecclesiastical penalties penitents. It has this function in the Roman Catholic Church, while this is no longer part still to be found in Orthodoxy.
Liturgical Holy Thursday has a special character. In Episcopal churches place in the morning during a Holy Mass the consecration of the holy oils ( the Katechumenenöls for the catechumens, the oil for the sick anointing of the sick, and the chrism for confirmation, and other applications ) by the local bishop instead. This service is sometimes misplaced in some dioceses on one of the previous days, so that the priests from the various parishes, which are much employed on Holy Thursday, usually, can easily participate. Generally, the Holy Thursday Chrism Mass, and especially the valid range as in the Catholic feast of the Christian priesthood.
In the evening Mass is celebrated the Last Supper and reminded of the institution of the Eucharist, the commandment of charity and of the ordained priesthood in all the churches. In order to emphasize the special nature of the evening, the Eucharistic Prayer are set forth in this Holy Mass, the words " On the eve of his passion, which is today," added. Private and group shows are not allowed on this day, so that the Eucharist appears clearly as a " sacrament of unity " in appearance. During Gloria's ring all the bells; then mention the bells and the organ until the Gloria of the Easter Vigil. Often, ratchets, which replace their hard sound in the time of Jesus suffering the bells, used for conversion and of the Sacrament procession after the Mass of the Last Supper. According to ancient tradition, also the rite of " foot washing " ( Mandatum ) is carried out in the communities. The main celebrant washes, following the example of Jesus (up to) twelve laymen symbolically the feet to make it clear that the church office is in the nature of the service and not the rule. The willingness to charity is illustrated by the collection of gifts for the needy and the poor.
It is desired by the Church and is widely common that Holy Communion is served the community in both forms ( the body and blood of Christ).
After or during the Holy Mass, the Blessed Sacrament is taken to a side altar or a chapel accompanied by the singing of the traditional hymn Pange lingua gloriosi in a simple procession. The in the Mass of the Last Supper converted hosts ( Präsanktifikation ) be the faithful passed in communion celebration on Good Friday because traditionally there is no celebration of the Eucharist on this day of mourning. After the service, all the blankets and jewelry are the main altar and all other altars other than those removed on or in which the Eucharist is kept. This is to symbolize mourning, but also specifically remember the tradition that Jesus clothes were ripped off.
By praying the Tantum ergo during the transfer of the Blessed Sacrament, the believer if he satisfies the conditions of the Church requirements, obtain a so-called plenary indulgence, according to Catholic teaching.
After Mass, prayer vigils find in line instead of the traditional vigil of the disciples of Jesus on the Mount of Olives in many communities, which in some places continue all night. The guards usually take place in front of the altar, on which now houses the holy of holies. This will give the faithful the opportunity to adoring worship.
After the service is in some places to keep the custom, a common Agape ( Freundschaftsmahl ). In this meal often unleavened bread ( matzo about oriental pita bread or milk bread ) and wine or grape juice will be served. The breads are traditionally divided together to remember the meal in (Ex 12:1-8 EU). In such agapes the giving love of Jesus Christ is symbolically experienced and are reminiscent of the Last Supper of Jesus and thus also to the Jewish Passover, which Jesus and his disciples celebrated according to biblical tradition.
Evangelical Church
Here the Holy Thursday is celebrated with an evening communion service. This service is especially designed in many communities. Based on today's liturgical renewal movement is often tempted to commit him as part of Holy Week as the first day of the Triduum Sacrum especially.
Old Catholic Church
The liturgy on Holy Thursday largely corresponds to the Roman Rite ( see above).
The headings of the Eucharist book see the following: After the Gloria silent organ and bells. At the foot washing the Taizé song Ubi caritas could be sung. In the intercessions of the communities of their own diocese and ecumenical neighboring communities should be considered. The Eucharist ends with the Prayer after Communion. The blessing is only re- donated as Solemn final blessing at the Easter Vigil. Where it is possible, is added to silent prayer, meditation and reading of the farewell discourse of Jesus from the Gospel of John opportunity.
Customs
The article Maundy Thursday in the Concise Dictionary of German superstition lists a wide range of Maundy Thursday customs with the related notions of popular superstition. In addition to the mentioned already in connection with the explanation of the name eating green vegetables and herbs, and the importance for the ordering of fields and gardens are still particularly the practices and ideas to mention dealing with the set on Holy Thursday eggs, known as Maundy Thursday eggs or Antlaßeiern, joined.
In Coburg the Easter eggs are searched already on Maundy Thursday in part today, brought from the " Grüa HOAs " ( Green Hare). In parts of Upper Lusatia combines the Maundy Thursday with a Heischebrauch. This raise children with the saying " Good morning, good morning for Holy Thursday, give me what in'n beggar's sack ... " to get candy from house to house.
In Mühlhausen Mühlhausen in Thuringia everyone should eat a baked on Holy Thursday pretzel as an otherwise able to grow donkey ears. Some of the pretzels are filled with pudding, similar to a crumble cookies. In GDR times, was allowed to some school, this Holy Thursday pretzel, which was worn with a belt around his neck, to eat in the classroom.
In many regions, parades were held with ratchet and rattling instead, their noise replace ( " flown to Rome ") after the Gloria of the Mass of the Lord's Supper silent church bells, but probably should expel demons and evil spirits. In the Eifel children draw today from Holy Thursday to Holy Saturday, three times a day a ratchet through the villages. You sing along with the songs in Eifler dialect that vary by region. They earn on Holy Saturday dyed or raw eggs by the villagers. Every year leading amateur actor Tresdorf in Moelltal the cross drawing as predominantly pantomime passion play on.
In many areas it is customary, on Holy Thursday to eat something green (in Austria it is especially spinach with fried egg), in some places this custom refers to every Thursday. Contrary to popular opinion in Austria is the Maundy Thursday church law to no strict fasting and Abstinenztag.