Good Friday: History, Significance and How It’s Observed Around the World
Good Friday — also known as Holy Friday, Black Friday, Great Friday or Friday of the Passion — is one of the most solemn days in Christianity. It signifies the crucifixion of Jesus Christ along with his death at Calvary (Golgotha). This is a solemn day during Holy Week, part of the Paschal Triduum, immediately prior to Easter Sunday.
Why Good Friday Is Important
Christians around the world take a moment on Good Friday to reflect on the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus. It is a day of mourning, fasting, prayer and reflection. Indeed, in German, this day is called Karfreitag — “Sorrowful Friday.”
The tradition goes back to the earliest days of Christianity, when the Church celebrated Jesus’ Last Supper, death and resurrection as a single event. By the fourth century, these events had been separated into different days, and Good Friday became a day specifically focused on the Crucifixion.
Who Observes Good Friday?
Good Friday is observed by numerous different denominations of Christianity including:
- Catholics
- Eastern Orthodox
- Lutherans
- Anglicans
- Methodists
- Oriental Orthodox
- Presbyterians
- United Protestants
- Congregationalists
Churches have special Good Friday worship services, and in many Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran and Methodist traditions, the Three Hours’ Agony service is held between noon and 3 p.m., the time that Jesus hung on the cross.
Others, such as the Moravian Church, have special observances, including an annual ritual of cleaning gravestones in their churches’ cemeteries on this day.
What Happens on Good Friday?
In the Roman Catholic Church, the Mass is not offered on Good Friday. Instead, special liturgy is make including:
The Gospel reading is the Passion narrative.
Adoration of the Cross
Holy Communion (from bread consecrated a day prior)
Traditionally, only the priest received Communion, although since 1955 laypeople have also received the sacrament. The Three Hour Service started as a liturgical observance by the Jesuits in 17th-century Peru around Jesus’ Seven Last Words on the cross.
In Anglican churches, the Book of Common Prayer specifies the reserved sacrament — that is, communion elements blessed on Maundy Thursday. Many Protestant churches also host services that reflect the day’s somber tone, often employing rituals similar to those in the Catholic tradition, with bare altars, covered crosses, and no organ music.
When Is Good Friday Observed?
Unlike Christmas, Good Friday doesn’t have a set date. Its timing is dictated by the Jewish lunisolar calendar and associated with Passover and Easter. Which is why the date moves from year to year and always lands sometime between March 20 and April 23.
Since Western Christian churches and Eastern ones calculate Easter differently, Good Friday could fall on different dates depending on the tradition.
Based on the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) which depict Jesus’ Last Supper as a Passover meal, Jesus was killed on 15 Nisan. However, the Gospel of John implies that Passover had not yet begun, and instead, Jesus’ death was placed on 14 Nisan. In spite of the discrepancy, the majority of Christians observe Good Friday in accordance with the flexible Easter calendar.
International: Public holidays, legal holidays, observances.
Good Friday is a public holiday in a number of countries across the globe. Strict laws in places like Germany prohibits public events such as dancing or horse racing on this day to keep it a solemn and reflective day.
Holy Week Timeline
- Palm Sunday – The triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem
- Maundy Thursday — The Last Supper
- Friday Good – Crucifixion of Jesus
- Holy Saturday — Jesus in the tomb
- Sunday is Easter — the Resurrection of Christ
Good Friday vs. Other Christian Holidays
Unlike Christmas or Easter, which have assimilated all manner of secular traditions from Santa Claus to the Easter Bunny, Good Friday remains utterly spiritual. It has never been commercialized, and it still has its serious, religious character.
Good Friday 2025: Date, History, Significance & Celebrations Around the World
In 2025, Good Friday will fall on Friday, April 18, and is a gazetted holiday in many countries. It is a serious Christian holiday that is observed in remembrance of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and occurs on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday.
Good Friday is a day of mourning, reflection and prayer worldwide.
In Germany, it’s called Karfreitag or “Sorrowful Friday.”
In Spain, it’s known as Viernes Santo, or “Holy Friday.”
📅 Good Friday 2025: Date and Holiday Type
| Date | Holiday | Type of Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, 18 April 2025 | Good Friday | Gazetted/Public Holiday |
🙏 What is Good Friday?
Good Friday is a Christian religious observance that commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ at Calvary. It is part of Holy Week and is regarded as one of the most sacred days in the Christian calendar.
📜 What Does Good Friday Mean? History of Good Friday
On this day, Christians believe that Jesus was nailed to the cross and died for the sins of humanity. His resurrection, which we celebrate on Easter Sunday, is a gift of hope, forgiveness, eternal life.
Good Friday provides Christians with a reminder of the ultimate sacrifice made by Jesus and the strong love through which he took on the suffering in the world.
✝️ How Is Good Friday Observed?
Each country has different ways to celebrate, but devotion to silence, prayer, and devotion is universal on the day.
Vatican City (VN) – Thousands watched the Pope lead the Way of the Cross near the Colosseum. A giant burning cross shines through the night.
Catholics typically fast, step-foot in church services, and participate in the Veneration of the Cross — kneeling before the crucifix in tribute to Christ’s suffering.
In London, there’s a live passion play at Trafalgar Square — free to all comers.
In Bermuda, citizens fly colorful kites representing Jesus’s ascension.
In Jerusalem, the faithful traverse the Via Dolorosa, the route of Jesus’s last walk, often with a wooden cross in hand.
Alcohol sales are prohibited in Ireland on this day.
In India, churches hold special services. States including Goa, Kerala, Mizoram, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh celebrate the day as a public holiday with parades, passion plays, and religious programs.
🌍 Good Friday Celebrations in India
Below are a few Indian cities that each have their own unique Good Friday traditions;
Goa: Processions and feasts led by the church.
Mumbai: Pray, fast and attend Mass in local churches.
(L) Aizawl: The Christmas of India with prayer services on Good Friday being well attended.
Kochi: Holy Services, Easter sales and typical meals.
Vizag: Anglo-Indian celebrations in Gyanapuram and Soldierpet.
📅 Related Days in Holy Week
Good Friday is part of Holy Week, which leads up to Easter. Each day carries its own importance:
| Day | Significance |
|---|---|
| Palm Sunday | Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem |
| Holy Monday/Tuesday | Teachings of Jesus in Jerusalem |
| Spy Wednesday | Judas’s betrayal of Jesus |
| Maundy Thursday | The Last Supper, foot-washing ceremony |
| Good Friday | Crucifixion of Jesus |
| Holy Saturday | Day of mourning and reflection |
| Easter Sunday | Resurrection of Jesus, symbolizing victory over death |
✝️ Traditional Practices on Good Friday
- Fasting and abstaining from meat (especially for Catholics aged 14+).
- Offering special prayers in church.
- Observing the Three Hours’ Agony from noon to 3 PM.
- Covering religious statues and crosses with black cloth as a symbol of mourning.
- Singing hymns and participating in Holy Communion.
🕊️ Symbols of Good Friday
- The Crucifix: Represents Jesus’s suffering and sacrifice.
- Black Cloth: Used to cover statues, paintings, and crosses in churches.
- Plain Decor: Many churches are kept bare to reflect sorrow and simplicity.
🏛️ Public Life on Good Friday
Government offices, banks, schools and many private businesses are still closed.
Transport services may run on reduced schedules — always check before you travel.
There may be traffic delays in areas dominated by Christians due to parades and church services.
🎯 FAQs about Good Friday 2025
🟣 What is the significance of Good Friday?
To commemorate the crucifixion and death of Jesus, which Christians believe redeemed humanity.
🟣 What does Good Friday mean for Jesus?
They do this because Jesus died on the cross at Calvary where he was nailed through his hands and feet.
🟣 What date is Good Friday in 2025?
It is on Friday, April 18, 2025.
🟣 What can you not do on Good Friday?
Catholics abstain from meat (like pork, beef, lamb, etc.) and fast. Only fish, vegetables and grains are permitted.
What color to wear on Good Friday? 🟣
Red is commonly worn to signify the blood of Christ, while black is also worn in mourning.
🟣 What does one eat on Good Friday?
Traditional fish-based meals are served instead; meat is avoided out of respect for Jesus’s sacrifice.
🟣 What are the rules for Good Friday fasting?
Yes. Good Friday and Ash Wednesday are expected days of fast and abstinence for Catholics aged 18–59.
🟣 What exactly is “Good” Friday?
Despite the agony, it stands as the triumph over sin and death, the path to salvation — hence “Good.”
When is Good Friday 2025 — If you’d like to get started observing Good Friday 2025, now is a good time to reflect, pause and remember the enduring message of love, sacrifice and forgiveness that Jesus Christ left with us.
Good Friday 2025: What It Means, Why Christians Observe It, and Key Facts You Should Know
Good Friday 2025 is coming sooner than you think — April 18 this year. Curious about what today really means and why it is so important to Christians? Here’s what you need to know about the meaning, history and traditions of Good Friday, plus how it’s observed around the world.
What Is Good Friday and When Is It in 2025?
Good Friday is celebrated each year on the Friday prior to Easter Sunday. In 2025, that is in April 18. It commemorates the day Jesus Christ was crucified and died, a serious observance that holds great importance in the Christian faith.
Why Christians Observe Good Friday
Good Friday has been observed by Christians since the early days of the religion, according to Britannica. It is a day of mourning, prayer, penance and fasting, commemorating the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Some say that the term “Good Friday” is in reference to the holiness of the day; others say that it derives from an older meaning of “good” that meant “holy.”
How Do Christians Celebrate Good Friday?
Good Friday is one of the three days of the Paschal Triduum, a three-day spiritual journey that begins with Maundy Thursday, peaks on Good Friday, and ends with Easter Sunday.
On this day, many Christians:
- Go to church masses and processions
- Fast and pray with others
- Discharge the poor fellow in condemning perform charitable deeds
- Meditate on the sacrifice of Jesus and Pray for freedom from pain and suffering.
A central rite is the Service of the Great Three Hours’ Agony, typically observed from 12 noon to 3 p.m. — the hours traditionally held as the time Jesus spent hanging on the cross, according to the Bible.
The New Testament states that Jewish religious leaders condemned Jesus for claiming he was the Son of God. They turned him over to the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, who condemned him to crucifixion.
Jesus was publicly beaten and then forced to carry a heavy wooden cross through the streets, where he was nailed to the cross through his wrists and feet. He remained there until his death. Christians contend this sacrifice was offered in order to take upon himself the sins of mankind and allow those who accept this sacrifice to be restored to a right relationship with God.
Now, why does Good Friday matter in 2025?
While we will share what Good Friday 2025 is like, whether you attend a service, spend time in quiet reflection at home or just want to understand what this sacred day is about, Good Friday is about stopping, reflecting and understanding this deep spiritual message of love, sacrifice and redemption.
Good Friday 2025: Why Is It Called Good Friday? Meaning, History, and Significance
In 2025, Good Friday will be celebrated on April 18 — only two days before Easter Sunday. It’s one of the most somber, spiritually heavy days in the Christian calendar, commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. But here’s the question so many people wonder: Why is Good Friday called ‘Good’ if it memorializes such a painful and tragic event?
Here’s what you need to know about Good Friday, including its meaning, origin and traditions, and how it’s observed around the globe.
🕊️ What Is Good Friday?
Good Friday (also known as Holy Friday, Great Friday, or Black Friday) commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ at Calvary. The New Testament relates that Jesus was arrested, mocked, beaten and crucified on the orders of Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judaea.
After the unimaginable agony he went through, he cried out “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” before breathing his last. His body was then removed, wrapped in linen and placed in a tomb closed with a large stone.
This day is a day of mourning, reflection and spiritual significance that Christians around the world observe.
🙏 Why Is It Called Good Friday?
It might seem strange to name the day of such pain and death “Good.” But the word “good” in this instance comes from an earlier use of the term as meaning “holy” or “pious.” Historically, “Good Friday” was called “Goude Friday” as far back as the 1300s in early English, the Oxford English Dictionary said.
So, why is it good?
For Christians, this is the day when Jesus gave his life for the sins of mankind. Through the resurrection of his death, the forgiveness of sin, and the hope of life to come. That final act of love and redemption is what makes the day spiritually potent — and “good.”
In Germany, by contrast, it’s Karfreitag, or “Sorrowful Friday,” which conveys the day’s mournful tone.
🌍 Good Friday: How Is It Celebrated Around the World?
Depending on denomination, culture, and more, Good Friday 2025 will also be observed differently. But the focus is consistent: recalling Jesus’ suffering and crucifixion.
This is how it is observed around the world:
🕯️ Church Services & Prayers: Most churches have special services, centered on the Passion of Christ — the events leading up to and including his crucifixion. This features hymns, Bible readings and silent prayer.
✝️ Veneration of the Cross: Christians bow or kneel before the cross in honor of Christ’s sacrifice.
🕒 The Three Hours’ Devotion: From noon to 3 PM (the hours Jesus spent on the cross), many believers partake in quiet meditation or worship services.
Meats: Many Christians, particularly Roman Catholics, fast and eat no meat 🍞 There is no Mass on this day—only solemn services.
🇮🇹 Rome: The Pope presides over the Way of the Cross procession from the Colosseum to Palatine Hill.
🕯️ Eastern Orthodox Traditions: This day represents a symbolic burial of Christ. On a table covered with flowers to symbolize the tomb, the epitaphios — a cloth icon of Christ — is placed.
🎭 Passion Plays: Some Christian groups in Jerusalem and Latin America dramatize the final hours of Jesus, sometimes parading through the streets bearing their crosses.
🇵🇭 Philippines: Some devotees go to extreme lengths to atone for their sins, like Ruben Enaje, who has been crucified annually since 1986 (save for the pandemic), they self-flagellate or seek get nailed to a cross.
🎨 Alfombras en Latinoamérica: Las calles se decoran con coloridas alfombras de flores, aserrín y frutas. They are crushed during processions that commemorate Christ’s journey to crucifixion.
🕵️♀️ Weird or Unusual Customs for Good Friday
Other lesser known Good Friday traditions are:
🇯🇲 Jamaica: Egg whites are dropped into a glass of water on Maundy Thursday, and the shape it takes on Good Friday is said to predict the future.
🇮🇪 Ireland: It is believed that cutting or washing hair on Good Friday makes it grow longer and healthier—and stops headaches!
🌱 Gardening: Plants that are sown on this day are believed to flourish, while blacksmiths and carpenters refrain from using hammers, in honor of the nails hammered into Christ.
📅 When Is Good Friday in 2025?
Good Friday 2025 falls on April 18, and Easter Sunday on April 20. It’s one of the days of Holy Week, which also features:
Palm Sunday (April 13, 2025) — Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem.
Maundy Thursday (April 17) – The Last Supper with Apostles.
Holy Saturday (April 19) — The day Jesus rested in the tomb.
Easter Sunday (April 20) — Celebrating the resurrection of Christ.
🌕 Why Does Good Friday Change Dates Each Year?
Unlike Christmas, the dates of Easter and Good Friday vary. Their timing is based on the lunar calendar.
Easter Sunday is observed the first Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox (fixed at March 21 in the ecclesiastical calendar). So Easter can land between March 22 and April 25, and Good Friday shifts, too.
🧠 TL;DR: The Significance of Good Friday for Christians
Date: April 18, 2025
Reason: Signifies the crucifixion of Jesus Christ
Meaning: His death is regarded as the final sacrifice for sins
A spectacle: Rituals, well-crafted sermons, marches, and heavy hearts
Leads up to: Easter Sunday, when Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus
🙌 Final Thoughts
Good Friday is a paradox — a day of sorrow that offers hope, a time of mourning that hints of resurrection. For Christians the focus is not on tragedy, but triumphed over sin and death. That’s what makes it “Good.”
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