Maundy Thursday of Psalm 21/22, a practice which continues in many Anglican churches. In other Christian denominations, such as the Lutheran Church or Methodist Church, the stripping of the altar and other items on the chancel also occurs, as a preparation for the somber Good Friday service. The Chrism Mass is a religious service held in Roman Catholicism, Lutheranism and Anglicanism. Maundy Thursday is notable for being the day on which the Chrism Mass is celebrated in each diocese. The Chrism Mass is one of the most solemn and important liturgies of the liturgical year. Usually held in the diocesean cathedral, it
The World's Ransoming Ransoming" was the first of three pieces comprising MacMillan's Easter triptych "Triduum", which would later include the composer's Cello Concerto and his Symphony: 'Vigil'. In the score program notes, MacMillan wrote, ""The World's Ransoming" focuses on Maundy Thursday and its musical material includes references to plainsongs for that day, "Pange lingua" and "Ubi caritas" as well as a Bach chorale ("Ach wie nichtig") which I have heard being sung in the eucharistic procession to the altar of repose." The title of the piece comes from the words of Thomas Aquinas's hymn "Pange Lingua". The work is scored for a solo