Good Friday

Cristo crucificado

Gustave Doré - The Holy Bible - Plate CXLI, The Judas Kiss

Ecce homo by Antonio Ciseri (1)

Crucifixion by Theophanes the Cretan

Agias Triados frescos cross

Good Friday is a Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. It is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum. Good Friday is preceded by Maundy Thursday and followed by Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday, marking the culmination of the Lenten season. The holiday is observed by many Christians around the world through fasting, prayer, repentance, and meditation on the agony and suffering of Christ on the cross.

Biblical Accounts

The events of Good Friday are well documented in the New Testament of the Bible. According to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane after the Last Supper with the Twelve Apostles, which is commemorated on Maundy Thursday. Following his arrest, Jesus was tried by the Sanhedrin, Pontius Pilate, and Herod Antipas, and was eventually sentenced to death by crucifixion.

Observances and Traditions

Good Friday observances vary significantly among different Christian denominations and cultures. Some common practices include:

• Fasting and Prayer: Many Christians observe a fast or practice abstinence on Good Friday as a form of penance.
• Stations of the Cross: A devotional commemoration of Christ's last day on Earth as a man, involving prayers and meditation at each of the 14 stations.
• Good Friday Service: Special church services are held, often including the reading of the Passion of Christ, veneration of the cross, and communion (in some denominations).

Date of Observation

The date of Good Friday varies each year, as it is based on the lunar calendar. It falls on the Friday before Easter Sunday, which is the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the vernal equinox. Consequently, Good Friday can occur between March 20 and April 23.

Significance

Good Friday is a day of mourning and solemn reflection on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for the sins of humanity. It is a pivotal event in Christian theology, emphasizing themes of sacrifice, redemption, and atonement. The crucifixion of Jesus is seen as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the central event upon which Christian doctrine and salvation rest.

Controversies and Legal Status

In some countries, Good Friday is a day of public mourning and is observed as a legal holiday, with closed businesses and restricted entertainment options. However, the observance of Good Friday has been a subject of controversy, particularly regarding the separation of church and state in secular societies. Despite this, it remains an important day of reflection and prayer for Christians worldwide.

See Also

• Easter
• Holy Week
• Crucifixion of Jesus
• Paschal Triduum
• Lent