The Archbishop of Canterbury will not be conducting the annual Maundy Thursday public ceremony of foot washing this year.

Maundy Thursday is the fifth day of Holy Week - the final week of Lent, which begins on Palm Sunday and runs up until Easter.

This year Maundy Thursday falls on 9th April and traditionally the Archbishop of Caterbury publically washes peoples' feet. 

At the Last Supper Jesus washed the disciples' feet as an act of humility.  Some churches recreate this act of service at special services on Maundy Thursday.

Foot washing is a reminder of how Jesus served others and of the kind of service; Christians are meant to demonstrate to others.  

This year however no foot washing will be carried out by Welby after the Church of England said the ritual risked spreading the coronavirus.