In the Christian tradition, there is a practice of fasting for many days, the strictest and longest of which is the Great Fast. The last week of Lent is especially strict. It is called Holy Week.
On Holy Week there is one special day for an Orthodox person, which has received the popular name of Pure Thursday. This is the Thursday of Holy Week. But in the liturgical language, this time is called Maundy or Holy Thursday.
On Holy Thursday, the Orthodox Church commemorates the Last Supper, during which the sacrament of Holy Communion was established by the Lord Jesus Christ. Believers try to receive communion on this holy day. Over time, the people began to call this time Maundy Thursday as a sign that an Orthodox person purifies his soul by partaking of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. Before communion, a person confesses his sins. Thus, the naming of Maundy Thursday indicates a special cleansing of the soul on this day, it has a certain spiritual meaning.
Currently, you can hear a different explanation of the etymology of Pure Thursday. So, some people believe that on this day it is imperative to wash in the bath or take a shower. The very semantic load of the holy day, which is determined by the desire of the Orthodox to purify the soul and communion with the holy mysteries, changes to a purely material idea. It is worth saying that such an interpretation of Pure Thursday is not correct from the point of view of the spiritual life of a person, for whom it is much more important not to cleanse his body, but his soul.
It can also be said that the popular naming of Maundy Thursday clean indicates the custom of cleaning this day in their homes. This practice is now taking place in human life. It is only important to understand that cleaning is done not because it is Thursday in the calendar, but in order for the believer to prepare his home in advance for the Easter holiday. Having cleared out on Thursday, an Orthodox person is no longer distracted by everyday needs, but tries to devote himself to the services of Good Friday and Great Saturday.
