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Bible Dictionaries
Maundy Thursday
The American Church Dictionary and Cyclopedia
The name given to Thursday in Holy Week, "Maundy" being a corruption of Dies Mandati, meaning the Day of the Command; mandati, derived from Mandatum, meaning a command. The name is given from the command our Lord gave on this day, when He instituted the Holy Communion, viz.: "Do this in remembrance of Me;" and also His commandment concerning love. "That ye love one another as I have loved you." Thursday in Holy Week is sometimes incorrectly called "Holy Thursday," a name which from time immemorial has been given to Ascension Day. Maundy Thursday is always observed with great solemnity. The celebration of the Holy Eucharist on this day has great significance, and is never omitted where it is possible to be had. The ecclesiastical color for the celebration is white, but for other services of the day, violet.
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Miller, William James. Entry for 'Maundy Thursday'. The American Church Dictionary and Cyclopedia. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​acd/​m/maundy-thursday.html. 1901.