A special day of Holy Week on April 9th is Maundy Thursday: what absolutely must not be done

Maundy Thursday is one of the most important days of Holy Week, which in 2026 falls on April 9th. Traditionally, it is associated with cleaning, baking cakes and preparing for Easter. However, in the church tradition, this day has a deeper meaning that goes beyond everyday worries. Priest Philip Ilyashenko, vice-rector of St. Tikhon's Orthodox University for the Humanities, told Izvestia about what "purity" really means on Holy Thursday, what meanings the church puts into it and what actions are unacceptable for believers on the holiday.

Why is Maundy Thursday called clean?

The name "pure" was not given to this day by chance and has its roots in evangelical events. According to the narrative in the Gospel of John, during the Last Supper, Jesus Christ committed an act that deeply impressed his disciples. He got up from the table, girded himself with a towel, took water and began to wash the apostles' feet — an action that in that era was considered the work of servants, but not of a Teacher.

The Apostle Peter reacted particularly sharply to this, when he tried to object: "Oh my God! Do you want to wash my feet?" However, Jesus did not abolish ablution, but explained the main principle of spiritual life: the purity of the soul is not measured by a high position, but is manifested in humility, love, rejection of pride and the ability to put the interests of others above their own.

According to theologians, it was this evangelical episode that became the basis for the national name of the day. In memory of this event, a special rite of foot washing is performed in some monasteries during divine services today. It symbolizes that to be "pure" means to strive for the purification of the soul, for sincere repentance and following the example of Christ.

The Spiritual meaning of Maundy Thursday

Meanwhile, as noted by Priest Philip Ilyashenko, the name of the holiday is often understood literally as the day when it is necessary to wash windows, carry out general cleaning and complete all household chores before Easter. At the same time, he stressed that the very name "Maundy Thursday" is not ecclesiastical and is rather of a domestic nature.

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"In the church tradition, this day is called Great Thursday, or Holy Thursday, and is associated with the events of the Last Supper, the last meal of Jesus Christ with the disciples. It was then, according to the Gospel, that the Sacrament of the Eucharist, Holy Communion, was established, and the apostles' feet were washed as a symbol of humility and service," he explained.

According to him, remembering the Last Supper and participating in the divine service determine the essence of the holiday, therefore it is important for believers to focus on the spiritual side of this day.

"The main thing is participation in divine services and communion, since the meaning of Holy Thursday is sincere repentance and purification of the soul from sin. This is what makes the day truly significant for the believer," the clergyman emphasized.

He added that maintaining order in the house in itself does not contradict the church tradition, but should not be perceived as the only or main content of the holiday.

What not to do on Maundy Thursday

Despite the fact that cleaning, window washing, and bathing procedures are not prohibited on Maundy Thursday, the church's attitude to other activities remains fundamentally different. According to Filip Ilyashenko, the main requirement remains the renunciation of sin in all its manifestations, both in deeds and in thoughts.

"The only prohibition is not to sin. Just like any other day," said the priest.

He added that there are no special restrictions in church practice that differ from the general norms of Christian life. Special attention should be paid to the inner mood: try to avoid irritation, condemnation, resentment and any manifestations of malice that contradict the spirit of Holy Week.

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At the same time, he noted that while the church recalls one of the central events of evangelical history, any manifestations of fuss, discontent and petty worries become especially inappropriate. Moreover, the believer thereby misses the opportunity for inner rethinking, which is an important part of preparing for the Resurrection of Christ.

Folk traditions on Maundy Thursday

The church is particularly concerned about the participation of believers in common practices that are associated with Holy Thursday among the people, such as the preparation of so—called Thursday salt, various conspiracies for money, health and attracting good luck.

Commenting on such traditions, Philip Ilyashenko stressed that they have nothing to do with Christianity and go back to pagan ideas, replacing the true spiritual life and distorting the meaning of the church holiday.

"The church is intolerant of such rituals, because it is not an appeal to God, but, in fact, an appeal to the opposite side, to forces that have nothing to do with Christianity. There is no other way: either a person turns to God, or, if he chooses the path of conspiracies and magical practices, to Satan," he said.

The clergyman also noted that the desire to look for "special" ways to influence fate on important church dates indicates a lack of understanding of their essence. Holy Thursday, he recalled, is primarily connected with the Sacrament of the Eucharist and calls upon a person to inner purification and meaningful participation in church life.

Earlier, Izvestia told how Great Tuesday of Holy Week is celebrated.