Good Friday: Significance, Origin and Celebration
Good Friday: Significance
Good Friday is one of the most revered and celebrated religious holidays in Christianity. It is observed by Christians all over the world on the Friday before Easter, commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Down the centuries, Christians have observed it as a day of sorrow, penance and fasting. It is also known as Black Friday or Easter Friday or Great Friday.
Christians believe that Jesus died on the 15 Nisan, the first day of Passover as per the Jewish calendar, which according to the Gregorian (Western) calendar would be April 7. However, Christians across the world does not celebrate it on a fixed date and rather celebrate it apparently on flexible date of the Jewish Passover. Hence, Good Friday falls between March 20, the first possible date for Passover, and April 23. Easter celebration follows two days later.
In early periods of Christianity, Jesus’ Last Supper, his death and his Resurrection were commemorated on a single day. However, from 4th Century AD onwards, they are commemorated differently. It is declared as a public holiday in many countries like Uruguay, Australia, United Kingdom, Serbia, United States, Portugal, Spain, Philippines, Germany, etc.
Origin and symbolism
As per the Biblical accounts, Jesus was betrayed by Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples, and was being arrested by the temple guards in the garden of Gethsemane. He was accused of blasphemy by the Sanhedrin and was crucified in Calvary. Christians believe that Jesus is the son of God and he sacrificed his life to save mankind and that he will return to this earth.
Regarding the origin of the name “Good Friday”, many theories abound. According to some it had been known as “God’s Friday” which later became Good Friday. Others are of the belief that the word “Good” is interpreted in the sense of ‘being observed as holy’.
Good Friday is celebrated commemorating Christ’s Passion, crucifixion and death. Cross is the most significant symbol of Good Friday. It being one of the oldest Christian symbol, the cross symbolizes Christ’s sacrifice and his death by crucifixion. It is an all pervasive symbol that evokes ethereal magnitude of Christ’s crucifixion and atonement for the sins of humanity.
Some of the other symbols of Good Friday are the black cloth used to cover the cross, paintings and statues in churches. As it has been observed as a day of penance, many churches as well as homes keep a bare look, keeping out all shiny objects and flowers as a sign of mourning.
Good Friday celebration across the world
In Roman Catholic Church, Good Friday is being celebrated as a Day of fast. The faithful abstain from consuming meat and there is no celebration of Mass between the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday evening and the Easter Vigil. Baptism, Penance and Anointing of the sick are the only sacraments being observed during the period of mourning.
The Roman Catholic observe specific prayers and devotions as ‘acts of reparation’ for the sufferings and insults that Jesus suffered during his Passion on Good Friday. Most of the Christian countries witness devotees enacting the act of Crucifixion of Jesus in public space. In countries like Philippines the day is marked by street processions of Jesus’ journey to the site of crucifixion and people even nail themselves to a cross to commemorate the sacrifice made by Jesus. Protestant churches like the Methodist Church commemorates Good Friday with a service of worship. Byzantine Catholics attend the Holy Matins and read the Twelve Passions Gospels on this day. The date of Jesus’ crucifixion is calculated differently in Eastern/Orthodox Christianity and Western Christianity.
How can you celebrate Good Friday?
Visit your church and attend the holy Mass. Even if you do not follow Christianity, it is an auspicious day to visit the church and offer prayers to God for the well being of mankind. Attend the Mass at 3:00 clock, as it is the time when Jesus is believed to have died.
If you belong to Roman Catholic church, you may organise and participate in Passion Plays.
Serve guests with afternoon tea along with some ‘hot cross buns.’ These are fruit buns in the shape of the cross.
You may observe fast or eat lightly, abstaining from rich food as a mean of observing penance. Above all, reflect on the crucifixion of Jesus and understand the magnitude of his sacrifice for mankind.
