"Royalty's
Sacred Duty: Maundy Thursday Amidst a King's Battle against Cancer"
This year's traditional Royal Maundy Service was rather
different because the king was taking a leave of absence from his royal duties
because of his health. The King nevertheless sent a telegram to commemorate the
event even though he was unable to attend in person.
The King and Queen at last year's Royal Maundy Service.
A significant event on the royal calendar is Maundy
Thursday; however, this year, Queen Elizabeth replaced King Charles at the
historic service.
People who have received recognition for their community contribution usually
receive specially minted coins from the king, who is the head of the Church of
England.
The Queen gave out customary Royal Maundy presents and attended the yearly
Royal Maundy Service at Worcester Cathedral while the King continues his cancer
treatment.
At the service, the King did, however, express his
"deep regret" at being unable to attend via a pre-recorded audio
message.
Following the Princess of Wales's and his cancer diagnoses, he declared that he
was going to continue serving the country with "my whole heart."
The king emphasized the value of lending "the hand of friendship...
especially in a moment of need" and said that Jesus provided a "model
of how we should serve and care for one other."
The nation's reaction to the difficulties faced by those
undergoing cancer treatment could be inferred from the King's remarks, which
did not specifically address his and Kate's health. This year's Royal Maundy
gifts included a 50p coin honoring the RNLI and a £5 coin with images of a
Tudor dragon and King Charles.
What
happened last year?
During his first year as king, King Charles continued his
late mother's practice of giving Maundy money to pensioners.
The King and Queen received a customary nosegay, a little bouquet of flowers,
at the 2023 service at York Minster.
The King distributed two little bags, one red and one white, each holding
Maundy money to 74 men and 74 women.
The number of participants corresponds to the age of the
monarch.
A set of specially produced silver Maundy coins, worth the same as his age,
were inside the white purse.
The crimson purse typically holds regular coins that signify the monarch's
"gift for food and clothes," but this time it had two commemorative
coins, one marking his 75th birthday and the other the 75th anniversary of the
Wind Rush Generation.
The
Holy Week
In Christianity, the days before Easter are a component of
Holy Week, during which time believers spend in prayer and devotion.
The Christian calendar lists the following days as some of the numerous
celebrations that take place during this time:
Palm Sunday
Maundy Thursday
Friday the Good
Sunday of Easter
What
is Maundy Thursday?
Every year, on the Thursday before Easter Sunday, it
happens. This day commemorates both the Last Supper's evening and the day that
Jesus and his disciples celebrated his last Passover.
The Last Supper was the last dinner that Jesus had with his apostles prior to
his death on the cross.
This important day falls on the Christian calendar because it signifies the
conclusion of Lent, a period of time during which many choose to give up things
they enjoy in remembrance of Jesus's death.
According to popular belief, Jesus bathed his followers' feet on Maundy
Thursday and gave them instructions to wash each other's feet as well.
Religious leaders, such as the Pope, still do this symbolic
act today by washing and kissing the feet of people, most of whom are
churchgoers.
Unlike in the Middle Ages, the British monarchy now gives monies to the less
fortunate instead of washing their feet.
The Latin term "mandatum," which meaning "command," is the
source of Maundy Thursday, commonly referred to as Holy Thursday.
How
is it celebrated?
Christians celebrate the holiday with a variety of customs
and traditions.
Every year, the late Queen would send Maundy money to pensioners in the UK as a
charitable gesture to commemorate the event.
The service has moved to other cathedrals and abbeys in previous years to offer
gifts to the local populace.
The late Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh attended the Royal Maundy Service for
the first time in 1952.
During the event, the Queen gave 26 men and ladies 26 pence in specially minted
Maundy money. The Service began around 600 AD, and since 1670, the
"special coins" have largely remained unchanged.
The specially minted Maundy money was posted to 188
recipients along with a letter from Queen Elizabeth II in 2020.
In addition, the monarch carries a nosegay bouquet—typically
presented as a gift—that includes purple statice, freesias, daffodils,
primroses, stocks, ivy, and hebe.
What
is Shrove Tuesday and how is it celebrated?
The order in which Maundy Thursday is observed is not set in
stone. Nonetheless, a lot of Christians decide to observe this day in various
ways, which could include:
church services involving communion.
The first night of Passover is when people have the Seder Supper.
Three days prior to Easter, there is a religious ceremony known as the Tenebrae
Service. Usually, this is the case in Western Christianity, which is one of the
two branches of the faith.
Stripping the Sanctuary is a custom that enables individuals to be ready for
Easter. This entails silent cleaning of the church, a practice that goes back
to the seventh century.
The
Royal Maundy Service over the years
Queen Elizabeth II dressed in purple as she hand Maundy
money to people in 2014 service.
Queen Elizabeth II distributed the Maundy money in a
service in 1956.
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