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Maundy Thursday / Holy Week |
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Holy Week (Semana Santa) is a very important religious observance, as well as an important vacation period here in Mexico. It is preceded by other observances such as Lent (Cuaresma) and Carnaval (Carnival). Holy Week's second event is Maundy Thursday (Jueves Santo). Maundy Thursday is also known by Holy Thursday, Covenant Thursday, Great and Holy Thursday, Sheer Thursday and Thursday of Mysteries and is the Christian holy day, falling on the Thursday before Easter. It commemorates the Maundy and Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles as described in the Canonical gospels
The name "Maundy Thursday" is derived from the Latin word mandatum meaning "commandment." The primary commandment of Jesus' message is found in the story of the Last Supper when Jesus humbles himself to wash the feet of his Apostles prior to the traditional Passover meal, or Seder. Jesus then commands them to "Love one another as I have loved you" (John 13:34). In observance of this commandment, the act of feet-washing is often performed as part of Maundy Thursday church services.
The other important Christian ritual to come out of the Last Supper story is that of the Eucharist or Holy Communion. Described in all three of the synoptic gospels and expounded upon in Paul's epistle to the Corinthians, Christians take communion to replicate Jesus' giving of bread and wine to his Apostles during their final meal together. While different denominations may maintain different specific interpretations of the ritual, many incorporate a special communion into the Maundy Thursday liturgy.
Again, depending on various ideologies, it is at some point during the last meal that Jesus announces that one of his beloved followers will betray him. The Disciples all deny that they would do such a thing and supposedly a fight breaks out among them as to which of the Apostles is Christ's greatest followers. We learn that it is Judas Iscariot who has betrayed Christ for 30 pieces of silver. This truly is Christ's last supper with his apostles prior to his betrayal, trial and crucifixion
If you are fortunate to be visiting us during Holy Week and would like to partake in the many religious events on the island on Maundy Thursday and would like information about the churches in Cozumel, please feel free to click on our link - Cozumel Churches and the under the "Select Facility Type", select Places of Worship to see the various churches!
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Copyright 2000 - 2024 Sherri Davis, All Rights Reserved. Contributors retain the copyright to their work. Please do not take art or written content without permission. Other graphics and reference materials are used and attributed as per the Fair Use Provision of The Copyright Act and individual terms of use.
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