Maundy Thursday 2025
Date: April 17, 2025 (Thursday)
Country: Faroe Islands Public Holidays
Description
Maundy Thursday is a Christian holy day. It remembers the events just before Easter. People in the Faroe Islands know it as an important religious day within Holy Week leading up to Easter Sunday.
The date changes each year because it follows the lunar calendar used for Easter. Maundy Thursday always falls on the Thursday before Easter Sunday. That means the exact calendar date is different each year.
The name Maundy comes from the Latin word mandatum which means commandment. It refers to a teaching about love and service that is central to the day. The idea is about caring for others.
In the Faroe Islands Maundy Thursday is observed as a public holiday. Schools and many workplaces are usually closed or have reduced hours. The day encourages reflection on faith and community.
For many people it is a solemn and thoughtful day. It marks the start of the final days of Holy Week and prepares people for the significance of Easter.
Traditions
On Maundy Thursday many Faroese go to church for special evening services. Choirs sing old hymns and the altar may be stripped. Services are calm and serious, with a focus on music and prayer.
At home families prepare simple meals. Fish and lamb are common Faroese foods served with root vegetables and flatbread. People eat together quietly, often speaking softly after the church service.
Homes are cleaned and candles are lit to make a peaceful mood. Some families keep a moment of quiet reflection. Community life feels close and gentle as people move through the rituals of the evening.
Travel Tips
Many shops, banks and public offices are closed or open with short hours. Buses and ferries can run on a reduced timetable. Book tours, restaurants and ferries ahead. Carry snacks and warm clothing in case services are limited.
Be respectful of quiet public events and local gatherings. Plan driving for slower traffic near towns before and after services. Enjoy walking, birdwatching and coastal views safely. Keep to marked paths and follow local advice for weather and sea conditions.