Christian Cyclopedia

(Green Thursday). Ger. name for Maundy Thursday (see Church Year, 4, 8, 16). Origin of name is obscure. Suggested explanations include: 1. assoc. with a custom of giving penitents green branches on that day; 2. ref. to penitents readmitted that day as “green”; 3. eating green herbs that day to guard against disease; 4. use of green paraments in Ger. on that day, in contrast to other colors used on other days of that week. Because Rome used white paraments, the day was also called White Thursday