British Queen Elizabeth II distributed specially minted silver coins known as Maundy Money to 160 senior citizens yesterday in a centuries-old Holy Week ceremony.

The monarch came to Guildford cathedral, south of London, to give bags of newly minted one-, two-, three-, and four-penny coins to 80 men and 80 women in honour of her 80th birthday on April 21.

Several hundred well-wishers gathered outside the cathedral on a gray spring morning, many waving Union Jack flags in greeting as the queen and her husband, Prince Philip, arrived.

The recipients, nominated by local clergy, also received a special 5 pound (US$8.75) coin commemorating the queen's birthday.

Donald Ede, 75, from nearby North Holmwood, was chosen because of his volunteer work in his local parish.

"It's rather like being struck by lightning, it only ever happens once," Ede said. "I've never experienced anything quite like that, and I feel greatly honoured.

"She simply smiles, hands you the purse, you say 'Thank you, your majesty' and look suitably grateful."

The Maundy celebration derives from Jesus' gesture of washing his disciples' feet before the Last Supper. Later in the evening he pronounced "a new commandment," or "mandatum" in Latin, that his followers love one another.

Source:China Daily