Queen's Maundy visit is a 'great honour' (From thisisoxfordshire)

Queen's Maundy visit is a 'great honour'

9:20am Saturday 2nd February 2013 in News

THE Queen’s visit to Oxford next month to take part in an ancient ceremony has been called a “great honour” for the city.

Every year Her Majesty, left, visits a cathedral or church in the UK to hand out Maundy money to elderly people in recognition of their work for the community and the church.

And on Thursday, March 28, she will be visiting Christ Church Cathedral for the Royal Maundy for the first time in the service’s 700-year history where she will give special coins to 87 men and 87 women from Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire.

The Rt Revd Colin Fletcher, the Bishop of Dorchester, said: “It’s very exciting and a great honour for the city and the cathedral but it is a particular honour for those who will be receiving the Maundy money.”

Held on Maundy Thursday – the day before Good Friday – the service commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ when he washed his disciples’ feet. The tradition dates from the 13th century and this will be the first time the monarch has visited Oxford for the service.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said a programme for the visit would be available by the end of the month.