Though most people know the religious meaning behind Easter, the days leading up to the spring holiday are important days for faithful Christians will honor the Biblical story of Jesus Christ.
Holy Week unfolds for Christians with dates that vary from year to year. Nonetheless, the purpose for the days observed by the faithful remain unwavering for them. These holy days have been established for millennia as a leadup to when Christ promised his flock redemption for their sins.
The Thursday of Holy Week is sometimes called Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday and commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ and his disciples. It’s also the day Lent ends.
Here’s what to know about the final day of Lent — also known as Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday — and what it means.
When does Lent end in 2025?
In 2025, Lent began with Ash Wednesday, March 5, and ends on Holy Thursday, April 17.
Is Lent a Catholic practice?
The Lenten period is when Catholic observers fast — one full meal and two smaller meals not adding up to one full meal — between Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Adult Catholics are expected to abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent.
The Anglican Church and Episcopal Church faithful also partake in Lent.
What is Maundy Thursday?
The Bible’s New Testament narrates Holy Thursday as when Christ and his 13 disciples gather for the Last Supper, a final meal together before Christ is crucified. He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, where he was arrested.
Maundy Thursday is also sometimes called Holy Thursday.
What does ‘maundy’ mean?
According to Dictionary.com, maundy is “the ceremony of washing the feet of the poor,” typically referring to Jesus washing his disciples’ feet.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: When does Lent end? Here’s what to know about Maundy Thursday