page_title: Maundy (foot washing)
section_title: Lutheran, Anglican and Methodist practice
hierarchical_section_title: Maundy (foot washing) / Lutheran, Anglican and Methodist practice
caption_attribution_description: Bishop John washes the feet of Eleanor, who walks to St. Giles, Wrexham, in bare feet, on Maundy Thursday 2007. Photograph by Brian Roberts, Wrexham
context_page_description: Maundy, or the Washing of the Feet, or Pedelavium, 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", and from the Latin form of the commandment of Christ that we should imitate His loving humility in the washing of the feet. The term mandatum, 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
  Many denominations 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.
context_section_description: Foot washing rites are practiced by many Lutheran, Anglican and Methodist churches, whereby foot washing is most often experienced in connection with Maundy Thursday services and, sometimes, at ordination services where the Bishop may wash the feet of those who are to be ordained. Though history shows that foot washing has at times been practiced in connection with baptism, and at times as a separate occasion, by far its most common practice has been in connection with the Lord's supper service. There has been some revival of the practice as other liturgical churches have also rediscovered the practice.
caption: Foot washing by the Bishop of St Asaph, Church in Wales, Maundy Thursday.
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