The designation of 'Great Week' in Greek and Roman liturgical books reflects the immense theological significance attributed to this period due to the 'great deeds' believed to have been accomplished by God. It underscores the centrality of the events leading up to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ within Christian theology. By labeling it as 'Great,' these liturgical traditions convey the gravity and profound nature of the Passion, death, and Resurrection, framing these events as pivotal moments in the redemption narrative of Christianity .

The decree Maxima Redemptoris, issued on November 16, 1955, was significant because it aimed to restore the timing of Holy Week services to reflect the actual events described in Scripture. It revised the Roman Missal to ensure that the observances during Holy Week were held at the times of day corresponding to the biblical events they commemorate, thereby enhancing the liturgical and devotional experience .

Separating the various events of Jesus's final week into distinct liturgical days allows the faithful to engage more deeply with each aspect of the Passion story. This separation provides a structured framework for reflection and devotion, offering time to contemplate the spiritual significance of each event, such as betrayal, sacrifice, and resurrection. Furthermore, it aligns the liturgical practices more closely with the chronology of events as described in the Bible, thereby enhancing the historical and devotional authenticity of the observance .

The inclusion of additional holy days in Holy Week by the 3rd century was driven by a growing desire within the church to more fully commemorate the events of Christ's Passion and align the liturgical calendar with scriptural accounts. Originally, Good Friday and Holy Saturday were the only holy days; however, theological reflection and the evolving liturgical practices led to the addition of Wednesday, marking Judas's betrayal, and other days, thereby creating a comprehensive week of observance that mirrored the sequence of biblical events .

The term 'Holy Week' was used as early as the 4th century by church figures like St. Athanasius and St. Epiphanius. It signifies the week between Palm Sunday and Easter, observed with a solemn devotion to the Passion of Jesus Christ. The name reflects the 'great deeds' believed to have been done by God during this time, highlighting its religious importance as a period of reflection and commemoration of key events leading up to and including the Resurrection .

Initially, in the pre-Nicene church, Holy Week observance was focused on the celebration of the Christian Passover during the night between Saturday and Easter Sunday morning. Only Good Friday and Holy Saturday were considered holy days. By the 4th century, the practice began to evolve by commemorating the specific events of the Passion of Jesus Christ on the corresponding days of the week. This included Judas's betrayal and the institution of the Eucharist on Maundy Thursday, the Passion and death of Christ on Good Friday, his burial on Holy Saturday, and his Resurrection on Easter Sunday .

Maundy Thursday is significant because it commemorates two pivotal events in the Christian narrative: Judas's betrayal of Jesus and the institution of the Eucharist. These events are central to the Passion story, marking the beginning of the end of Jesus's earthly ministry and highlighting themes of betrayal, sacrifice, and the establishment of key Christian rites and traditions .

St. Athanasius and St. Epiphanius contributed significantly to the definition and understanding of Holy Week during the 4th century. By using the term 'Holy Week,' they helped to emphasize the solemn and sacred nature of this period, thereby institutionalizing its observance within the church. Their usage of the term reinforced the importance of reflecting on the Passion of Jesus Christ and established a framework for the liturgical practices that would develop in subsequent centuries .

Initially, only Good Friday and Holy Saturday were observed as holy days, focusing on the Passion and burial of Christ. By the beginning of the 3rd century, other days were added to Holy Week observance. Wednesday was included to remember Judas's plot to betray Jesus, and soon the rest of the week gained significance, reflecting various events of the Passion. This expansion allowed for a more granular commemoration of Jesus's final days, leading to a deeper engagement with each event's spiritual and liturgical significance .

The use of 'Great Week' in Greek and Roman liturgical texts served to elevate this period above other liturgical observances, highlighting its unrivaled theological importance. By designating the week as 'Great,' it underscored the extraordinary nature of the events commemorated, namely the Passion, death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. This differentiation affirmed the centrality of Holy Week within the Christian liturgical year, emphasizing its role in the narrative of salvation and the deep spiritual reflection it necessitates .