(731) The day before Good Friday

Everyone has heard about Christmas. Most of us think of bunnies when "Easter" is mentioned. Have you heard about "Maundy Thursday"? Have you wondered what "Maundy" means?

According to my knowledgeable friend, "Maundy" came from the word money. Not any money, but money handed to parishioners by the King. Many years ago, the King of UK would attend a church service on the Thursday before Good Friday. At the end of that service, the King would personally hand out a coin each to his subjects at his church.

In modern times, the Queen of  UK would honour a group of ordinary people who had contributed to society on Maundy Thursday. These people are not nominated by politicians. None of them are well known. Each year coins that are not legal tender are minted to be awarded to them. The number of award winners is twice the age of the Monarch. For instance, when the Queen is eighty years old, that year she honours one hundred and sixty people.

I find that very interesting!