Imperial Maundy
The Imperial Maundy, Maundy Thursday, or Holy Thursday is a religious event that is held annually at the Imperial Court in Diadochia. Holy of Maundy Thursday is a festival in Holy Week commemorating the last supper when Jesus Christ washed the feet of his disciples as a sign of humility.
For the rulers of the House of Komnenos-Palaiologos, the Washing of Feet is a demonstration of their humility before God and of Christian charity, part of the prescribed virtus of a Sovereign. The ritual is performed annually. Traditionally twelve poor men and twelve poor women are chosen, medically examined and then thoroughly cleansed and dressed uniformly in black.
The ceremony involves a procession to church and a public banquet with four courses. However, the food is not eaten on site, but given to the participants in a painted wooden tub to take home. Only then did the actual washing of the feet take place. The emperor and empress knelt down, and, moving from one person to the next, washing their feet, drying them, assisted by a priest, who held a basin for them, and another cleric, who refilled it with water. Finally each of the twelve aged people received a white leather pouch containing 30 silver coins together with wine jugs and beakers of green stoneware, before being driven home in a court carriage.
