Crucify him!” How utterly bizarre this is, I thought. And heart-breaking. The Christian tradition asks us to imagine that the son of God was tortured and ...
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What is Good Friday? Here's what to know about the holy holiday
Two days before Easter Sunday is another important Christian holiday. Known as Good Friday, the holy day commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
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What is Good Friday - 10 things to know with detail
Good Friday is a Christian holiday that commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. It is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum, the three-day period that includes Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday.
Good Friday is also known as Holy Friday, Great Friday, Black Friday, or Easter Friday in different countries and traditions. The term "Good Friday" likely originated from the Middle English phrase "God's Friday," which eventually evolved into "Good Friday."
Good Friday is a day of solemn reflection and mourning for Christians around the world. Many churches hold special services, including prayer, scripture readings, and the veneration of the cross.
In some Christian traditions, Good Friday is a day of fasting and abstinence. This practice is meant to symbolize the sacrifice and suffering of Jesus Christ on the cross.
Good Friday is a public holiday in many countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and several European nations. In some places, businesses and schools may be closed, and there may be restrictions on alcohol sales and public entertainment.
The events leading up to Jesus' crucifixion on Good Friday are recounted in the Bible, particularly in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. According to Christian belief, Jesus was crucified for the sins of humanity and to fulfill the prophecies of the Old Testament.
Good Friday is traditionally associated with several symbols, including the cross, which represents the crucifixion of Jesus, and the crown of thorns, which symbolizes the suffering and humiliation he endured. The color red is often used to symbolize the blood shed by Jesus on the cross.
Many Christians participate in the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday, a devotional practice that involves meditating on the events of Jesus' crucifixion through a series of fourteen stations or images.
In some countries, Good Friday is also a day of charitable giving and acts of service. Christians may volunteer at soup kitchens, homeless shelters, or other organizations that help those in need.
Good Friday is followed by Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday. While Good Friday is a day of mourning and reflection, Easter Sunday is a day of celebration and joy, as Christians believe that Jesus rose from the dead on that day, conquering sin and death.