The Friday before Easter is called the Good Friday which is the Christian day to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Calvary. Good Friday is observed each year during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum.
Good Friday is also known as Holy Friday, Great Friday and Black Friday. The date for Good Friday, which is widely considered as a legal holiday around the world, fluctuates from one year to the next in both the Gregorian and Julian calendars.
Date:
It is believed that Jesus Christ was crucified on a Friday. Hence, Good Friday is observed. The Friday before Easter is celebrated as Good Friday. This year, Good Friday will be celebrated on April 7.
Significance:
It is believed that God loved the world so much that he sacrificed the life of his begotten son for the sins of the entire humanity. For the sins of the people who believed in Jesus Christ, he sacrificed his life. This day is seen as a day of mourning and sorrow and people observe the day to celebrate Jesus’ sacrifice to save humanity from the shadows of their own sins. People refrain from eating food to mourn the day of sorrow. It is also advised to refrain greeting someone saying Happy Good Friday, because it is a day of sadness for the Christian community.
History:
According to the holy book Bible, Jesus was arrested, and sentenced to death by crucifixion by the Roman authorities under the rule of Pontius Pilate, the highest form of criminal punishment at the time. Jesus’ crucifixion was a brutal and painful form of execution, which involved nailing the person to a wooden cross and leaving them to die slowly.
The events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion are recorded in the four Gospels of the New Testament. The Gospels tell of Jesus’ last supper with his disciples, his arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, and his trial before Pilate. They also record his death on the cross and his burial in a nearby tomb.
Christians around the world commemorate Good Friday with special services, prayers, and devotions. Many churches hold processions, reenactments of the crucifixion, and veneration of the cross. In some countries, such as the Philippines, devotees even participate in self-flagellation and crucifixion to show their devotion to Christ.
Good Friday is a solemn and reflective day for Christians, reminding them of Jesus’ sacrifice and the price he paid for their salvation. It is a time for prayer, fasting, and repentance, as well as a time to express gratitude for God’s love and mercy.
Who is Jesus Christ?
Jesus Christ is a central figure and founder of Christianity and is also considered to be the son of God. He is believed to have been born in Bethlehem in the first century AD to the Virgin Mary and Joseph, a carpenter. Christians believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the savior of the world, and that his teachings provide a path to salvation and eternal life.
