What is "foot washing"

Maundy (from Latin mandatum or mendicare), or the Washing of the Feet, is a religious rite observed by various Christian denominations. 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" , also from the commandment of Christ that we should imitate His loving humility in the washing of the feet . The term mandatum (maundy), therefore, was applied to the rite of foot-washing on this day.

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."

Many denominations (including Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, 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, and Pentecostals.

The origin of the word Maundy has at least two possibilities:

1) Through Middle English and Old French mandé, from Latin mandatum. 2) From the Latin mendicare, Old French mendier, and English maund, which means “to beg” (verb) or a “small basket” (noun) held out by maunders (beggars) as they maunded (begged).