| Where: | Durham, at the Cathedral |
| When: | Maundy Thursday |
| Time: | 7.30pm |
Churches all around the world mark the evening of the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday, when Jesus was betrayed, with special services. At Durham, a dozen invited congregants have their feet ceremonially cleansed by the officiating clergy and it is the word for the “command” Jesus gave to perform this act, which is “mandatum” in Latin, from which the term “maundy” is derived. While a good number of services around the country feature foot washing in remembrance of Jesus cleansing the feet of the Disciples, the Cathedral at Durham is unique in re-enacting the dramatic Judas Cup ceremony from the medieval “Rites of Durham”. During the ceremony the choir sing Psalms whilst a group of clergy drink from a special mazer led by the Dean, who alone speaks telling the tale of the betrayal and the reaction of the Disciples to the news that one of them would be responsible. Following the ceremony, the Stripping of the Altars takes place in Silence and the lights are dimmed; those who wish to sit in prayer and meditation may remain in the Cathedral for the Watch until it closes for the night.
Helpful Hints
In 2025 Maundy Thursday will be on 17th April.
The service lasts around an hour-and-a-half, and the Cathedral closes for the night at 10pm. For those unable to attend in person, the major services at Durham are live streamed (follow the link to the website below to find out more).
Photography isn’t allowed during the service but I managed to get a few snaps during the rehearsal beforehand.
Click here for the Cathedral Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/durhamcathedral
and website: https://www.durhamcathedral.co.uk
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