The Thursday before Easter is traditionally referred to as Maundy Thursday in the Anglican church, and I believe the Roman Catholic church (although they tend to refer to it simply as Holy Thursday).The term Maundy comes from "Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos" ("A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you"), the statement by Jesus in the Gospel of John (13:34) by which Jesus explained to the Apostles the significance of his action of washing their feet. (from wikipedia).
This is also the day which we signify that Jesus instituted the Holy Eucharist in the form of the Last Supper.
Within the Episcopal Church we also signify this day by the descent into darkness as associated with Good Friday. At the end of the service the altar is stripped and the lights are slowly turned down to the point of darkness. At the end the congregation is left in darkness with an empty and stark altar, no choir, no clergy. Just themselves and God.
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