April 17 — Maundy Thursday, 2025: what needs to be done, strict bans

The fourth day of Holy Week is popularly called Maundy Thursday and has a special meaning for believers. On this day, the home, body and soul are prepared for the most important Orthodox holiday — Easter. How to spend Holy Thursday correctly and what its meaning is, read the Izvestia article.

Maundy Thursday 2025: what is the date, the essence, the meaning

On Maundy Thursday, which in 2025 is celebrated on April 17, it is customary to remember the events of the Last Supper. Anticipating his imminent demise, Jesus Christ gathered 12 of his disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane and gave them farewell instructions. The Savior told them to live righteously and help their neighbors. At the same time, Christ performed the rite of communion: he washed the feet of all his disciples and shared bread and wine with them. In this way, the Son of God demonstrated an example of caring for his neighbor.

However, the evening was crowned with a dark event. One of the students, Judas Iscariot, betrayed his teacher. The apostle entered into a conspiracy with the high priests and led them into the garden, pointing to Christ with a treacherous kiss. The Jews arrested and took Jesus away.

Maundy Thursday in 2025: traditions, what can be done

The main tradition of Maundy Thursday is ablution. It is supposed to be performed in the morning, it is best to wash your face from silver dishes. Even a spoon will do. Ablution symbolizes the purification of the body and soul. For the same purpose, you should take a bath or shower, and many people visit the sauna.

It is equally important to keep the house clean on Holy Thursday. The house also needs to be put in order, dusting in the most remote corners, washing the floors and windows clean, putting things in their places. It is believed that along with the dust, adversities and sorrows will leave the house.

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Some housewives put coins in the cleaning water to attract wealth and prosperity. In addition, on Holy Week Thursday, the family's money should be counted. It is best to do this three times: before sunrise, at noon and after sunset, so that the money will multiply in the future and not be transferred.

The period of strict fasting continues on Maundy Thursday: you can not eat fish, meat, milk, eggs and other animal products. It is on the fourth day of the Great Week that the Easter cake is supposed to be baked. The dough is put in the morning, and in the evening they start cooking.

Maundy Thursday, April 17, 2025: what not to do

In addition to the restrictions on eating on Maundy Thursday, it is necessary to adhere to several other prohibitions and regulations. So, you can't do physical labor if it doesn't involve cleaning or cooking. At the same time, you should not neglect cleaning either. According to legend, you can bring trouble and misfortune to the house.

As on other days of fasting, it is forbidden to engage in intimacy, drink alcohol, have fun and celebrate. Great Thursday is also not suitable for getting married or making a marriage proposal. It is not recommended to visit the cemetery and commemorate the dead on this day.

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the history and traditions of Palm Sunday celebrations.