thumb|Christ Washing the Feet of the Apostles by the [[Master of the Housebook|Meister des Hausbuches, 1475 (Gemäldegalerie, Berlin)]]
Maundy (from Old French mandé, from Latin mandatum meaning "command"), or Washing of the Saints' Feet, Washing of the Feet, Nipter, or Pedelavium or Pedilavium,
John 13:2–17 recounts Jesus' performance of this action. In verses 13:14–17, Christ instructs His disciples:
The Early Church practiced footwashing prior to the receiving of the Eucharist, and the rite was recorded early in the third century by the Christian apologist Tertullian, who discussed it involving a basin of "water for the saints' feet", along with a "linen towel".
Some Christian denominations throughout Church history have practiced foot washing as a church ordinance, including Adventists, Anabaptists (such as Conservative Mennonites and the Dunkard Brethren), Free Will Baptists, Missionary Methodists, and Pentecostals. Of these, certain denominations, such as the Dunkard Brethren Church, regularly practice feetwashing as part of the lovefeast, which includes the holy kiss, feetwashing, communion, and a communal meal.