Good Friday

Good Friday: April 10, 2009

The entire Lenten period is filled with significant holidays, serving as benchmarks along the way to the most important celebration within Christianity: Easter. The buildup reaches a crescendo on the Friday before Easter Sunday, when Good Friday is celebrated.

Commemorating the suffering -- known in religious parlance as the passion -- of Christ when he died on the cross, Good Friday is a day of fasting, prayer and repentance. Also known as Holy Friday or Black Friday, Good Friday commemorates the sacrificial death of Christ, without which his resurrection -- the pinnacle event within Christianity -- could not have taken place.

Many Catholic churches begin their worship services at 3 p.m. on Good Friday, which is the time that Jesus is believed to have died. While customs vary by church and by country, many Catholics read or sing parts of St. John's Gospel, participate in the Veneration of the Cross, and receive communion. Good Friday is also considered a fast day in the Catholic Church, in which parishioners are only allowed to consume one meatless meal and two small snacks.

In Orthodox Churches, different traditions are observed. In Russia, for example, churches prominently display a silver coffin with a cross, surrounded by candles and flowers. Inside the coffin is a shroud painted with an image of Christ. Worshippers crawl on their knees toward the coffin and kiss the shroud.

The holiday is also celebrated, to varying degrees, within Protestant Churches. Episcopal, Anglican, Methodist, Presbyterian and Lutheran Churches often mark the day with special worship services. In Baptist and non-denominational churches, Good Friday is not typically commemorated.

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Comments

Joely Stamp from Canada

12:31 04/14/2009

 

My grandpa died on this day!!!!!!!!! and i am very sad now!

mom and dad from Florida, US

09:23 04/10/2009

 

Good Fri./Happy Easter!!:)

Victoria from Texas, US

10:59 04/09/2009

 

Joshua: Long ago, "Good Friday" was called "God's Friday." It was changed over time for some reason. Much like "Good bye" derives from the term "God be with you" that was a regular parting phrase in days gone by.

joshua oharra

08:30 04/09/2009

 

if jesus died on the cross on friday before easter why is it called good friday

Nathen N. Jackson

11:36 04/02/2009

 

this is it

karin from South Africa

07:15 04/02/2009

 

what does traditional pickled fish have to do with good friday? Why are we not allowed to eat meat on that day? What does the pickled fish or fish eating have to do with this day?

Washington Emmanuel from Pakistan

11:36 03/25/2009

 

good friday. Jesus was crucified on good friday,and died on the cross for the sin of the world. jhon.3/16,17.