What you definitely need to do on Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday is one of the most important and symbolic days of Holy Week. In 2025, it falls on April 17th. This day recalls the Sacrament of the Last Supper, where Christ washed the feet of his disciples and established the Eucharist, that is, communion. There are many traditions associated with this day, which symbolize the purification of the soul, body and space around us. Why it is important to swim before dawn, what communion means and what things can and cannot be done on this day — in the material of Izvestia.

Why swim before sunrise on Maundy Thursday – 2025

One of the most ancient and revered traditions is morning ablution before sunrise on Maundy Thursday. It is believed that water on this day has a special power: it washes away not only dust from the body, but also sinful "dirt", diseases, worries and unkind thoughts.

The people believed that bathing before sunrise relieves all evil.

It is believed that if you wash or swim before the first rays of the sun, the whole year will be happy.

To do this, it is not necessary to go to the river or to the spring — it is enough to take a shower, wash or wipe yourself with cool water, while saying the words of prayer.

There is also a belief that if you put a silver coin or any other object in the water to be washed, it will have a beneficial effect on human beauty and health.

Holy Communion on Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday is a special day when one of the main sacraments is celebrated — communion, established by the Savior himself during the Last Supper.

On this day, Christ told His disciples, "Do this in remembrance of Me," passing the bread and wine as His Body and Blood.

In the Orthodox tradition, believers strive to receive Holy Communion on Maundy Thursday, especially if they have fasted and confessed during Great Lent.

Is it possible to bake cakes on Holy Thursday of Holy Week

Baking cakes on Maundy Thursday is not only possible, but also recommended.

It is believed that baking on this day is especially good — the cake turns out to be lush, delicious, does not stale for a long time, and most importantly, it preserves a blessing.

Traditionally, it is on Holy Week Thursday that housewives prepare food for Easter and collect the Easter basket. Many people put on clean clothes before baking cakes, light a lamp or candle and pray for family peace and the health of their loved ones.

House cleaning on Maundy Thursday before Easter

Cleaning on Maundy Thursday is not just household work, but a symbol of cleansing the space from filth, negativity and sin. In 2025, it is advisable to complete all the main cleaning no later than this day.

Cleaning includes: dusting, mopping floors, windows, doors; washing, changing bed linen; getting rid of unnecessary items.

People believed that cleanliness, brought on Maundy Thursday, would last for the whole year, and a dirty house would lead to troubles and troubles.

It is also important not to swear or get annoyed during cleaning, but to work with complacency and prayer.

Is it possible to clean the cemetery on Maundy Thursday

The issue of visiting cemeteries on Maundy Thursday is controversial. On the one hand, this is a day of spiritual concentration, not commemoration of the dead. On the other hand, many people want to put their relatives' graves in order before Easter. The priests recommend first of all to visit the temple, take part in the liturgy and take communion.

What is the right thing to do:

• Visiting the cemetery on Maundy Thursday is not prohibited, but it should not become the main activity of the day.;
• If you need to put the grave in order, it can be done without unnecessary noise, fuss and decorations.;
• It is important to remember: there is no commemoration of the dead on Easter — this is the day of life, not death; for this there is Radonitsa — in 2025 it will be on April 29 (Tuesday).

Thus, it is possible to clean up the cemetery, but it is better to do it in advance — at the beginning of Holy Week, so that you can dedicate Maundy Thursday to your home and soul.