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Maundy (from Old Frenchmandé, from Latinmandatum meaning "command"),[1] orWashing of the Saints' Feet,Washing of the Feet, orPedelavium orPedilavium,[2] is a religiousrite observed by variousChristian denominations. The wordmandatum is the first word of the Latin Biblical quotation sung at the ceremony of the washing of the feet: "Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos", from the text ofJohn 13:34 in theVulgate ("I give you a new commandment, That ye love one another as I have loved you",John 13:34). The ceremony commemorates the commandment ofChrist that hisdisciples should emulate his loving humility in the washing of the feet (John 13:14–17). The medieval Latin termmandatum (mandé, maundy), came to apply to the rite of foot-washing on the Thursday precedingEaster Sunday, known in English as "Maundy Thursday" since at least 1530.[3]
John 13:2–17 recountsJesus' performance of this action. In verses 13:14–17, Christ instructs His disciples:
If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
— John 13:14–17 (NKJV)
TheEarly Church practiced footwashing prior to the receiving of theEucharist,[citation needed] and the rite was recorded early in the third century by the ChristianapologistTertullian, who discussed it involving a basin of "water for the saints' feet", along with a "linen towel".[4]: 98 [5]
Some Christian denominations throughout Church history have practiced foot washing as achurch ordinance, includingAdventists,Anabaptists (such asConservative Mennonites and theDunkard Brethren),Free Will Baptists,Missionary Methodists, andPentecostals.[1][6] Of these, certaindenominations, such as theDunkard Brethren Church, regularly practice feetwashing as part of thelovefeast, which includes the holy kiss, feetwashing, communion, and a communal meal.[A][8] Many Christian denominations (includingCatholics,Lutherans,Anglicans, as well as certainPresbyterians andMethodists, among others) observe the liturgical washing of the feet onMaundy Thursday ofHoly Week.[1]
The root of this practice is to be found in the hospitality customs of ancient civilizations, especially wheresandals were the chief footwear. A host would provide water for guests to wash their feet, provide a servant to wash the feet of the guests or even serve the guests by washing their feet. This is mentioned in several places in theOld Testament of theBible (e.g.Genesis18:4;19:2;24:32;43:24;1 Samuel25:41; et al.), as well as other religious and historical documents. A typical Eastern host might bow, greet, and kiss his guest, then offer water to allow the guest to wash his feet or have servants do it. Though the wearing of sandals might necessitate washing the feet, the water was also offered as a courtesy even when shoes were worn.
1 Samuel25:41 is the first biblical passage where an honored person offers to wash feet as a sign of humility. In John 12,Mary of Bethanyanointed Jesus' feet presumably in gratitude for raising her brotherLazarus from the dead, and in preparation for his death and burial. The Bible records washing of the saint's feet being practised by theearly church inI Timothy5:10 perhaps in reference to piety, submission and/or humility. There are several names for this practice:maundy,foot washing,washing the saints' feet,pedilavium, andmandatum.
The foot washing, described in the thirteenth chapter of the Gospel of John, is concerned with the Latin title ofServus servorum dei ("Servant of the Servants of God"), which was historically reserved to the Bishops and to the Pope, also called theBishop of Rome. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, commissioned the Twelve to be Servant of the Servant of God, and this calling to theImitation of Christ has been firstly extended to all the bishops of the Church as the directsuccessors of the Apostles. The Apostles received the Holy Spirit from Jesus in the gospel of John chapter 20.22 and in fullness upon the day of thePentecost in chapter 2 of the Book of Acts, for theevangelization and salvation of all the human race. This belief is common to Catholics, to some denominations of the Western Christianity, and is consistent and in keeping with Eastern Christian beliefs.
It is also recalled in the Latintext of theMagnificat, for which God "regarded the lowliness" ofMary, Mother of Jesus, and, by effect of that, "magnified" her ("He hath put down the mighty from their seat: and hath exalted the humble and meek."). God also did the same to all the other creatures, both before and after the Incarnation, for:
Christian denominations that observe foot washing do so on the basis of the authoritative example and command ofJesus as found inJohn 13:1–15 (KJV):
Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him; Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
Jesus demonstrates the custom of the time when he comments on the lack of hospitality in onePharisee's home by not providing water to wash his feet inLuke 7:44:
And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
The rite of foot washing finds its roots in scripture, where Jesus tells his followers "to wash one another's feet" (cf.John 13:1–17). After thedeath of the apostles or the end of theApostolic Age, the practice was continued.[9]
Footwashing was practiced in theearly centuries of post-apostolic Christianity, withTertullian (145–220) mentioning the practice as being a part ofChristian worship in hisDe Corona.[9] Footwashing was done with a basin "of water for the saints' feet" and a "linen towel", prior to the reception of theEucharist.[4] Additionally, in the 1st century, Christian women went to locations in which marginalized people resided (such as prisons) and washed their feet.[10] The early Church FatherClement of Alexandria linked the new sandals given to theProdigal Son with feetwashing, describing "non-perishable shoes that are only fit to be worn by those who have had their feet washed by Jesus, the Teacher and Lord."[4] The early Church thus saw footwashing to be connected torepentance, involving a spiritual cleansing by Jesus.[4]
Around 256 AD,Cyprian, thebishop of Carthage, wrote about footwashing teaching "the hands how to act in service".[4]
It was practiced by theChurch at Milan (c. 380) and is mentioned by theCouncil of Elvira (300). The Church FathersOrigen, as well asJohn Chrysostom andAugustine (c. 400) encouraged the practice as animitation of Christ.[9]
Observance of foot washing at the time of baptism was maintained inAfrica,Gaul,Germany,Milan, northernItaly, andIreland.
According to theMennonite Encyclopedia "St. Benedict'sRule (529) for theBenedictine Order prescribed hospitality feetwashing in addition to a communal feetwashing for humility"; a statement confirmed by theCatholic Encyclopedia.[11] It apparently was established in theRoman church, though not in connection with baptism, by the 8th century.
TheGreek Orthodox Church counted footwashing among thesacraments, though it was not practiced that often.[9]
TheSynod of Toledo (694) "declared that footwashing should be observed on Maundy Thursday" and Roman Catholic churches thus came to observe footwashing on that day.[9]
TheAlbigenses and theWaldenses' practiced footwashing as arite.[9]
There is some evidence that it was observed by the earlyHussites; and the practice was a meaningful part of the 16th centuryradical reformation, which resulted inAnabaptist denominations regularly practicing footwashing as an ordinance.[12]
The ritual washing of feet is currently practiced in many religious denominations including those listed below.
InCatholic Church, the ritual washing of feet is now associated with theMass of the Lord's Supper, which celebrates in a special way theLast Supper of Jesus, before which he washed the feet of histwelve apostles.
Evidence for the practice on this day goes back at least to the latter half of the 12th century, when "the pope washed the feet of twelvesub-deacons after his Mass and of thirteen poor men after his dinner."[11] From 1570 to 1955, theRoman Missal printed, after the text of theHoly ThursdayMass, a rite of washing of feet unconnected with the Mass.[citation needed] For many yearsPius IX performed the foot washing in the sala over the portico ofSaint Peter's, Rome.[13]
In 1955Pope Pius XII revised the ritual and inserted it into the Mass. Since then, the rite is celebrated after thehomily that follows the reading of thegospel account of howJesus washed the feet of his twelve apostles (John 13:1–15). Some persons who have been selected – usually twelve, but the Roman Missal does not specify the number – are led to chairs prepared in a suitable place. Thepriest goes to each and, with the help of the ministers, pours water over each one's feet and dries them. There are some advocates of restricting this ritual to clergy or at least men.[14]
In a notable break from the 1955 norms,Pope Francis washed the feet of two women and Muslims at a juvenile detention center in Rome in 2013.[15][16] In 2016 it was announced that theRoman Missal had been revised to permit women to have their feet washed onMaundy Thursday; previously it permitted only males to do so.[17] In 2016 Catholic priests around the world washed both women's and men's feet on Holy Thursday and "their gesture of humility represented to many the progress of inclusion in the Catholic church."[18]
At one time, most of the European monarchs also performed feet washing in their royal courts onMaundy Thursday, a practice continued by theAustro-Hungarian Emperor and theKing of Spain up to the beginning of the 20th century (seeRoyal Maundy).[11] In 1181Roger de Moulins,Grand Master of theKnights Hospitaller issued a statute declaring, "In Lent every Saturday, they are accustomed to celebrate maundy for thirteen poor persons, and to wash their feet, and to give to each a shirt and new breeches and new shoes, and to three chaplains, or to three clerics out of the thirteen, threedeniers and to each of the others, two deniers".[19]
Foot washing rites are practiced by theLutheran andAnglican churches, whereby foot washing is most often experienced in connection withMaundy Thursday services and, sometimes, at ordination services where theBishop may wash the feet of those who are to be ordained.
Though history shows that foot washing has at times been practiced in connection with baptism, and at times as a separate occasion, by far its most common practice has been in connection with theLord's supper service. .
TheEastern Orthodox andEastern Catholic Churches practice the ritual of the Washing of Feet onHoly and Great Thursday (Maundy Thursday) according to their ancient rites. The service may be performed either by abishop, washing the feet of twelve priests; or by anHegumen (Abbot) washing the feet of twelve members of the brotherhood of hismonastery. The ceremony takes place at the end of theDivine Liturgy.
AfterHoly Communion, and before thedismissal, the brethren all go inprocession to the place where the Washing of Feet is to take place (it may be in the center of thenave, in thenarthex, or a location outside). After a psalm and sometroparia (hymns) anektenia (litany) is recited, and the bishop or abbot reads a prayer. Then thedeacon reads the account in the Gospel of John, while the clergy perform the roles of Christ and his apostles as each action is chanted by the deacon. The deacon stops when the dialogue between Jesus and Peter begins. The senior-ranking clergyman among those whose feet are being washed speaks the words of Peter, and the bishop or abbot speaks the words of Jesus. Then the bishop or abbot himself concludes the reading of the Gospel, after which he says another prayer and sprinkles all of those present with the water that was used for the foot washing. The procession then returns to the church and the final dismissal is given as normal.
Foot washing rites are also observed in theOriental Orthodox churches on Maundy Thursday.
In theCoptic Orthodox Church the service is performed by the parish priest. He blesses the water for the foot washing with the cross, just as he would for blessingholy water and he washes the feet of the entire congregation.
In theSyriac Orthodox Church, this service is performed by a bishop or priest. There will be some 12 selected men, both priests and the lay people, and the bishop or priest will wash and kiss the feet of those 12 men. It is not merely a dramatization of the past event. Further it is a prayer where the whole congregation prays to wash and cleanse them of their sins.
Groups descending from the 1708Schwarzenau Brethren, such as theGrace Brethren,Church of the Brethren,Brethren Church,Brethren in Christ,[20]Old German Baptist Brethren, and theDunkard Brethren regularly practice foot washing (generally called "feetwashing"[21][22][23][24][25][26][27]) as one of three ordinances that compose theirLovefeast, the others being the holy kiss, the Eucharist and a fellowship meal.[28] Historically related groups such as theAmish and mostMennonites also wash feet, tracing the practice to the 1632Dordrecht Confession of Faith. For members, this practice promotes humility towards and care for others, resulting in a higher egalitarianism among members.
TheMoravian Church has historically practiced footwashing (pedelavium).[2] This reflected the emphasis Moravians place on practicing customs of theearly Church, such as theLovefeast.[29] In 1818, the practice was made no longer compulsory,[30] though it continues in the present-day.[10] Traditionally, Moravian Christians practiced footwashing before partaking in theLord's Supper, although in most Moravian congregations, these rites are observed chiefly onMaundy Thursday.[31][32]
In certain Methodist connexions, such as theMissionary Methodist Church and the New Congregational Methodist Church, feetwashning is practiced at the time that the Lord's Supper is celebrated.[33][34] In other Methodist denominations, such as theFree Methodist Church andMethodist Protestant Church, feetwashing is practiced onMaundy Thursday, and may be done at other times, such as whenGeneral Conference is held.[35] The tradition of theChurch of the United Brethren in Christ, one of the ancestors of theUnited Methodist Church and descendantGlobal Methodist Church, practices feetwashing when communion is observed; as such, some United Methodist and Global Methodist churches continue this tradition, especially those congregations ofEvangelical United Brethren patrimony.[36]
ManyBaptists observe the literal washing of feet as a third ordinance. The communion and foot washing service is practiced regularly by members of theSeparate Baptists in Christ,General Association of Baptists,Free Will Baptists,Primitive Baptists,Union Baptists,Old Regular Baptist, andChristian Baptist Church of God.[37] Feet washing is also practiced as a third ordinance by manySouthern Baptists,General Baptists, andIndependent Baptists.[citation needed]
VariousPentecostal denominations practice the ordinance or ritual of footwashing, in connection with the sacrament of the Lord's Supper or Communion, in the past.[38] Often, foot washing is held as an optional service separate from communion on a different date. When celebrated in conjunction with the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, or communion, the Pastor, or designated minister, will read the scriptural text, out of the Gospel of St. John, then instruct the men to assemble in one location of the church, and the women to assemble in another location of the church - where basins with water and towels have already been suitably prepared in front of a pew, or row of chairs. Each member takes turns sitting in a chair or pew while another kneels before him or her and washes their feet. Customs may vary. Sometimes the foot washer places both of the other persons feet into the water, scooping water over them with his/her hand, simply holding them, sometimes the feet are held over the basin while water is poured over them, and in some congregations, only one foot is made bare and has water poured over it/washed. Often, the person whose feet are being washed lays a hand/or hands upon the shoulder of the person washing their feet and he or she will pray for the person washing their feet. The foot washer also prays for humility and for the person they are washing. When all have participated in washing the feet of others and having their feet washed, a benediction and dismissal of the service is conducted. Members are often instructed to continue their service to others in the church and to the world at large. After the dismissal, participates usually participate in helping clean up the area, basins, etc.
In the mid-1830s,Joseph Smith introduced the original temple rites of theLatter Day Saint movement inKirtland, Ohio, which primarily involved foot washing, followed byspeaking in tongues and visions.[39][40][41] This foot washing took place exclusively among men, and was based upon theOld andNew Testament.[42] After Joseph Smith was initiated into the first three degrees ofFreemasonry, this was adapted into the whole bodyEndowment ritual more similar to contemporaryMormon practice, which shares some similarities toMasonic temple rites, and does not specifically involve the feet.[39][43][44]In 1843, Smith included a foot washing element in the faith'ssecond anointing ceremony in which elite married couples are anointed as heavenly monarchs and priests.[45]
The observance ofwashing the saints' feet is quite varied, but a typical service follows the partaking of unleavened bread and wine.[46] Deacons (in many cases)[citation needed] place pans of water in front of pews that have been arranged for the service. The men and women participate in separate groups, men washing men's feet and women washing women's feet. Each member of the congregation takes a turn washing the feet of another member.[citation needed] Each foot is placed one at a time into the basin of water, is washed by cupping the hand and pouring water over the foot, and is dried with a long towel girded around the waist of the member performing the washing. Most of these services appear[to whom?] to be quite moving to the participants.
TheTrue Jesus Church includes footwashing[47] as a scriptural sacrament based onJohn 13:1–11 along with the other two sacraments, Baptism and the Lord's Supper. Members of the church practice footwashing to have a part with Christ (John 13:8).
MostChurch of God denominations also include footwashing in theirPassover ceremony based on John 13:1–11.
MostSeventh-day Adventist congregations schedule an opportunity for foot washing preceding each quarterly (four times a year) Communion service. As with their "open" Communion, all believers in attendance, not just members or pastors, are invited to share in the washing of feet with another: men with men, women with women, and frequently, spouse with spouse. This service is alternatively called the Ordinance of Foot-Washing or the Ordinance of Humility. Its primary purpose is to renew the cleansing that only comes from Christ, but secondarily to seek and celebrate reconciliation with another member before Communion/the Lord's Supper.[48]
Maundy Thursday (orle mandé; Thursday of theMandatum, Latin, commandment). The name is taken from the first few words sung at the ceremony of the washing of the feet, "I give you a new commandment" (John 13:34); also from the commandment of Christ that we should imitate His loving humility in the washing of the feet (John 13:5). The termmandatum (maundy), therefore, was applied to the rite of foot-washing on this day.
If at once, of every article of furniture and each household vessel, you name some god of the world as the originator, well I must recognise Christ, both as He reclines on a couch, and when He presents a basin for the feet of His disciples, and when He pours water into it from a ewer, and when he is girt about with a linen towel - a garment specially sacred to Osiris. [...] we use along with others these articles [...].
In the early church, Tertullian indicates a knowledge of foot washing, noting that it was part of Christian worship (De cor. 8). Chrysostom encourages Christians to imitate the action of Jesus in John 13 (In Joh. hom. 70-71), as does Augustine (In Evange. Iohan. 55-57). Origen also advocates foot washing (In Gen. hom. 4.2). The Synod of Toledo (694) declared that footwashing should be observed on Maundy Thursday. Throughout the Middle Ages the Roman churches observed the practice on that day of Holy Week. The Greek church recognized for washing as a sacrament but seldom practiced it. In the 11th and 12th centuries the Albigenses and Waldenses observed foot washing as a religious rite. The Bohemian Brethren also practiced it in the 16th century.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)Feet-washing is a New Testament ordinance, instituted by Jesus Christ, to be observed among God's people until the return of the Master who instituted it and gave his own example of it. (John 13:1-17; 1 Tim. 5:10; Matt. 28:20) ... The holy kiss is a divine ordinance to be kept and perpetuated in the Church. It is observed when we meet for worship, at Love Feasts in connection with feet-washing, between the supper and the communion, and on other occasions. (Rom. 16:16; 1 Cor.16:20; 2 Cor.13:12; 1 Thess. 5:26-27; 1 Peter 5:14)
See also
