Holy Thursday is the Christian holy day falling on the Thursday before Easter. It commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles and the foot washing (Maundy) as described in the canonical gospels. It is the fifth day of the Holy Week, which is preceded by Holy Wednesday and followed by Good Friday.
According to Old Norse "Maun-" comes from the word munu which means shall or will; and according to old English, "gemynd" means "the mind".
The Eastern Churches generally use the Julian calendar and celebrate this holiday on April 1st throughout the 21st century. However, this day falls on May 5th according to the Gregorian calendar, the most commonly used calendar. The date is still between March 19th and April 22nd (inclusive); but these dates fall on different days according to the used calendar, whether Gregorian or Julian. The liturgy held on the evening of Maundy Thursday initiates the Easter Triduum, the period that commemorates the Resurrection, Death and Passion of Jesus. This period includes Good Friday and Holy Saturday and ends on the evening of Easter Sunday. The Mass of the Lord's Supper or service of worship is normally celebrated in the evening, when Friday begins according to Jewish tradition, as the Last Supper was held on the feast of Passover, according to the three Synoptic Gospels.