Good Friday

Good Friday is an important day for Christians around the world. It remembers when Jesus died at Calvary, also called Golgotha. This happens during Holy Week, the week before Easter. Good Friday is part of the Paschal Triduum, the most sacred days for Christians.

Many Christian groups, such as Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Lutherans, Anglicans, Methodists, and others, observe Good Friday in special ways. They might fast, eating less or nothing, to show respect for Jesus. Churches often hold special services. In some traditions, people pray the Stations of the Cross in the evening.

The date of Good Friday changes each year because it depends on Easter. Both the Gregorian calendar, used in many countries, and the Julian calendar, followed by some Eastern Christian churches, help decide the date. Good Friday is a public holiday in many places. In some Christian countries like Germany, there are special rules to keep the day respectful.

Etymology

The term Good Friday comes from an older meaning of the word good, which means pious or holy. Other expressions that use this meaning include the good book for the Bible and good tide for Christmas or Shrovetide. Many people think the name comes from the good that came from Jesus’s death, which Christians believe was a sacrifice that helped save people.

Another idea some people have is that Good Friday comes from God Friday, but this is not correct. In Old English, the day was called Long Friday because of the long times of fasting and religious services. Similar names are still used in some Scandinavian languages and Finnish.

Biblical accounts

Main articles: Passion of Jesus, Crucifixion of Jesus, and Sayings of Jesus on the cross

The Bible tells the story of Jesus' arrest and trial. His follower Judas helped soldiers catch Jesus in a garden. Jesus was taken to leaders who wanted him punished. He was questioned and then sent to a Roman leader named Pilate. Pilate could not find a reason to punish Jesus, but the crowd still wanted Jesus to be crucified.

Pilate agreed, and Jesus was taken to a place called Golgotha, where he was crucified. He hung on the cross for a while. After a loud cry, Jesus passed away. His body was wrapped in cloth and placed in a tomb, which was sealed with a large stone.

Eastern Orthodox

Byzantine Christians call this day "Great and Holy Friday", or simply "Great Friday". It reminds us of Jesus' sacrifice when he was crucified. The Divine Liturgy is not celebrated on this day, unless it is the same day as the Great Feast of the Annunciation.

People honor this day by reading special Psalms and Gospels, and by singing hymns about Christ's death. They use rich images and symbols to help them feel connected to these events. In the Orthodox tradition, the events of Holy Week are not just remembered, but felt as if they are happening now.

Some people observe Great and Holy Friday as a day of fasting. Adult Byzantine Christians may choose to go without food and drink for the whole day, depending on their health.

Roman Catholic

The Roman Catholic Church observes Good Friday with special traditions and services. Good Friday is a day of fasting for many Catholics. In the Latin Church, people traditionally have one full meal and two smaller meals. Special church services are held, and there is no celebration of the Eucharist until the Easter Vigil. The main service includes reading scriptures, praying, and venerating the cross.

Many Catholics also pray the Stations of the Cross and may join in special processions or devotions.

Protestant

In Lutheran tradition, Good Friday is an important religious holiday. People used to avoid all work from the 16th to the 20th century. Special church services were held, sometimes with music like the St Matthew Passion by Johann Sebastian Bach. Today, Lutherans usually fast from the Eucharist on Good Friday but remember the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday and celebrate at the Vigil of Easter. The main service, called the Liturgy of the Lord's Passion, is often held at 3 pm.

In the Anglican Communion, Good Friday is marked by fasting, known as the Black Fast. Local customs include services with the Seven Last Words from the Cross. The Methodist Church also observes Good Friday with fasting and a service of worship based on the Seven Last Words from the Cross, lasting from noon until 3 pm. The Moravian Church holds a Lovefeast on Good Friday and cleans gravestones in Moravian cemeteries. In the Reformed tradition, Good Friday is observed with church services that include the Solemn Reproaches. Many Protestant churches also hold an Interdenominational service with the Lord's Supper.

Associated customs

Good Friday is a holiday in many countries, such as Australia, Argentina, Brazil, and Canada. In the United States, 12 states celebrate it as a state holiday.

One common practice is the Black Fast, where people choose not to eat or drink during the day. Special church services are held. These may include singing hymns like "Crux fidelis" and ceremonies such as the "Mass of the Pre-Sanctified." Some places have rules about activities that might not respect the quiet and serious mood of the day.

Calculating the date

See also: Date of Easter

Good Friday is the Friday before Easter. The date of Easter is found in different ways by Eastern Christianity and Western Christianity. Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the Paschal Full Moon, which is the full moon that comes on or after March 21, the start of spring.

Western Christian traditions use the Gregorian calendar for their calculations, while Eastern Christian traditions use the Julian calendar. Because of this difference, Good Friday can fall on different dates for these two groups.

Cultural references

Good Friday is important in the story of Parsifal, a famous music drama by Richard Wagner. The play has a special part called the "Good Friday Music." This is a beautiful piece played by an orchestra.

Memoration on Wednesday of the Holy Week

Some Baptist groups, the Philadelphia Church of God, and certain non-denominational churches do not observe Good Friday. Instead, they remember the Crucifixion of Jesus on Wednesday. They link this to the Jewish Passover Lamb. They think this timing matches Jesus’ words about being in the tomb for three days and three nights.

Others, like the Associates for Biblical Research, support the traditional observance of Good Friday. They say that a Wednesday crucifixion does not fit how Jews counted days long ago.