Good Friday
Christian holy day commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus.
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Good Friday—also called Holy Friday, Great Friday, Great and Holy Friday, or the Friday of the Passion of the Lord—is a solemn Christian observance that marks the crucifixion and death of Jesus at Calvary, or Golgotha. It falls during Holy Week and is part of the Paschal Triduum. Christians from many traditions, including Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Lutherans, Anglicans, Methodists, Oriental Orthodox, United Protestants, and some Reformed groups (such as certain Continental Reformed, Presbyterian, and Congregationalist churches), mark the day with fasting and special church services. In Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, and Methodist congregations, a Service of the Great Three Hours' Agony is often held from noon to 3 p.m., the time the Bible says darkness covered the land until Jesus died.
Moravian Church
That same evening, many in Catholic, Lutheran, and Anglican churches pray the Stations of the Cross, as they do on other Fridays during Lent. Among Moravian Christians, a distinctive Good Friday tradition involves cleaning gravestones in Moravian cemeteries. The date of Good Friday shifts each year in both the Gregorian and Julian calendars.
Etymology
Eastern and Western Christianity disagree on how to compute the date of Easter, and thus Good Friday as well. The day is a widely recognized legal holiday in many parts of the world. In some predominantly Christian countries, such as Germany, laws restrict certain activities—like public dancing or horse racing—to reflect the somber character of the day. The name “Good Friday” draws on an older meaning of good: “pious” or “holy.” This sense appears less commonly in phrases like “the good book” for the Bible, “good tide” for Christmas or Shrovetide, and “Good Wednesday” for the Wednesday of Holy Week. A common folk explanation ties the word good to the Christian belief that Jesus’s death on the cross brought about humanity’s salvation: “Christians believe that Jesus's death on the cross was the ultimate sacrifice for humanity's sins, saving mankind from death.” Another folk etymology mistakenly traces “Good Friday” to a supposed corruption of “God Friday,” similar to how goodbye comes from “God be with ye.” In Old English, the day was called Long Friday (langa frigedæg), referring to the extended fasting and religious observances that made it a day of prolonged devotion.
Background
According to the Gospel accounts, Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane after being betrayed by Judas Iscariot for 30 pieces of silver. He was taken before Annas, then Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin, where conflicting testimony was brought. When asked under oath if he was the Anointed One, Jesus replied ambiguously, and the high priest condemned him for blasphemy, with the Sanhedrin concurring a death sentence.
Peter denied Jesus three times as foretold. In the morning, Jesus was brought to Pontius Pilate, who found no basis for sentencing and referred the case to Herod; Herod sent Jesus back. Pilate, after his wife's warning, attempted to release Jesus, but the crowd demanded Barabbas and cried 'Crucify him.' Pilate washed his hands and handed Jesus over to be crucified.
Jesus carried his cross to Golgotha, assisted by Simon of Cyrene, and was crucified with two criminals. From noon to 3 pm darkness covered the land; Jesus cried out quoting Psalm 22, then gave up his spirit. An earthquake occurred, the Temple curtain tore, and the centurion declared, 'Truly this was God's Son!' Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus buried Jesus in a new tomb.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Good Friday known for?
The day's central function is to mark the moment of Christ's suffering and death on the cross. Rather than being a celebration, it is typically observed through fasting, silence, and special liturgical services across most Christian communities.
When does Good Friday appear?
The date shifts every year because it is anchored to the lunar calendar, and Eastern and Western Christianity can disagree on the exact computation. In the Gregorian calendar it always falls between March 22 and April 25, while Julian-calendar traditions may place it on a different day.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Good Friday (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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