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Foot washing facts for kids

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Meister des Hausbuches 003
Christ Washing the Feet of the Apostles by Meister des Hausbuches, 1475 (Gemäldegalerie, Berlin).

Maundy (from the Vulgate of John 13:34 mandatum meaning "command"), or the Washing of the Feet, is a religious rite observed by various Christian denominations.

The name is taken from the first few Latin words sung at the ceremony of the washing of the feet, "Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos" ("I give you a new commandment, That ye love one another as I have loved you") (John 13:34), and from the Latin form of the commandment of Christ that we should imitate His loving humility in the washing of the feet (John 13:14–17). The term mandatum (maundy), therefore, was applied to the rite of foot-washing on this day of the Christian Holy Week called Maundy Thursday.

John 13:1–17 recounts Jesus' performance of this act. In verses 13:14–17, He 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)

Many denominations (including Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, Mennonites, and Catholics) therefore observe the liturgical washing of the feet on Maundy Thursday of Holy Week. Moreover, for some denominations, foot-washing was an example, a pattern. Many groups throughout Church history and many modern denominations have practiced foot washing as a church ordinance including Adventists, Anabaptists, Baptists, Free Will Baptists, and Pentecostals.

Images for kids

  • Meister des Hausbuches 003

    Christ Washing the Feet of the Apostles by Meister des Hausbuches, 1475 (Gemäldegalerie, Berlin).

  • Washing of the Feet - Capella dei Scrovegni - Padua 2016

    Christ Reasoning with Peter, by Giotto di Bondone (Cappella Scrovegni a Padova).

  • Court function at the Palace of Ribeira in 1748

    John V of Portugal performs the Washing of the Feet rite in Ribeira Palace, 1748.

  • Omovenie nog

    Orthodox icon of Christ washing the feet of the Apostles (16th century, Pskov school of iconography).

  • Bishop Sebouh - Washing of Feet

    Bishop Sebouh Chouldjian of the Armenian Apostolic Church washing the feet of children.

  • Maundy Thursday 07 washing feet diocese St Asaph

    Foot washing by the Bishop of St Asaph, Church in Wales, Maundy Thursday.

  • Footwashing of Bro. Noah

    The Friday Night Communion and Foot Washing Service at the Nolynn Association of Separate Baptist in Christ

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