Good Friday 2022: Date, history, significance of Christians’ Easter Friday

Good Friday 2022: Date, history, significance of Christians’ Easter Friday
Featured Times
Spread the love

[ad_1]

Good Friday is a significant day for the Christian community and is also known as Great Friday, Holy Friday, Easter Friday or Black Friday, since it commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Now the question arises – if the day has such a sad history, why is it known as Good Friday? The etymology of the term ‘good’ in Good Friday is contested in various circles. 

Some say ‘good’ means pious or holy as Christians believe that the death of Jesus signifies forgiveness for all of the sins of mankind with Jesus sacrificing himself for the good of humankind and that is why the day is also known as Holy Friday as it denotes that Christ suffered and died for his people. Others say that it is a modification of ‘God Friday’ and that the term actually came from the words God’s Friday.

Good Friday is observed as a public holiday in various countries such as India, Canada, the UK, Germany, Australia, Bermuda, Brazil, Finland, Malta, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore and Sweden among others.

Date:

Good Friday falls on the sixth day of Holy weeks which lead to Easter. It is said that the aforementioned crucifixion took place around AD 30 or AD 33. According to the Church’s Lunar calendar, Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after Paschal Full Moon which is on April 17th this year while Good Friday will be observed on April 15.

History:

The term Good Friday is not present in the Holy Bible, however, the religious text tells us the story of how Jesus was betrayed by Judas which led to his arrest. He was beaten by the Roman soldiers after being nailed to a cross which he was asked to carry to his site of the crucifixion. The term ‘Good’ is a contradiction to the events of this day, however, people believe that the term is associated with the words ‘pious or holy’ and Good Friday is followed by Easter Sunday, the day on which Jesus was resurrected from death.

Significance:

It is on Good Friday that the Christians commemorate Jesus Christ’s crucifixion. It is a day of grief, penance and fasting for Christians all over the world. The day is also known as Black Friday for the same reason. Good Friday aka Holy Friday also marks the end of Lent which is a 40-day fasting period for Christians.

Good Friday is considered holy because on this day, out of his love for everyone, Jesus Christ gave his life as a sacrifice while suffering for the sins of people. It was because of this gesture that humanity got a fresh start and all their sins were dismissed.

Though Jesus Christ was crucified on Good Friday, it was on Easter that the son of God resurrected, according to Bible. It signifies that good always wins and the fact that he went through so much suffering for the sins of humanity shows how much he loved everyone.

How Christians observe Good Friday:

Good Friday is a day of mourning, and people keep fasts and pray to the Lord. It is a day to remind oneself of Jesus Christ’s sacrifices. Church services take place from noon to 3 pm on this day and decorations from statues are removed. Priests are dressed in black robes. For Christians, it is the most sorrowful, sombre and sacred day of the year.

On Good Friday, Christians do not eat meat and traditionally the food which is eaten is hot cross buns. However, many people do eat fish instead of meat. The reason why fish is eaten is because it comes from the sea hence, is believed to be a different kind of flesh. Fish shapes were also believed to be secret symbols by which Christians would identify each other at a time when their religion had been banned. A lot of those who followed Jesus Christ were also fishermen. 

Preparation for meals on Good Friday would normally start a week before, with the dough for the bread being kneaded and braided. Churches observe the day with a service that normally takes place in the evening, where they remember Christ’s death with hymns, thanksgiving prayers, talk about the special significance that the day holds and observe the Lord’s Supper.

Catholics do not eat meat on Good Friday but can eat fish instead and it is also customary to eat warm hot cross buns. They normally fast on this day unless they have health issues or are below the prescribed age. Protestants, on the other hand, do not have food restrictions on Good Friday but many follow the ‘no meat’ rule like the Catholics.

On Sunday after this, comes Easter, when the resurrection of Jesus is celebrated. Christians also observe Lent – a period of 40 days, except Sundays – that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter Sunday. In India, some areas hold three-hour long special services in noon – the time when Jesus is said to have been crucified. The lights are dimmed and eventually extinguished. Followers wear black clothes and cover all religious pictures, crosses and icons in the churches and their homes to mourn the absence of God and the associated sadness.

A loud noise is created to depict the earthquake that struck during Jesus’ dying hour. Passages from the Gospel about the Seven Last Words of Jesus are read. Catholics relive the fourteen stations —places in and around the church that mark Jesus’ final journey. The Holy Communion is organised at several places. A bitter drink is prepared from mostly leaves and vinegar, which is tasted by all after the service. In other areas, parades are held in which hymns are sung and prayers offered. Open air plays, depicting the last hours of Jesus Christ, are also organised by some communities.

[ad_2]

Source link

Tags:

41 thoughts on “Good Friday 2022: Date, history, significance of Christians’ Easter Friday”

  1. Link exchange is nothing else except it is simply placing the other person’s website link on your page at proper
    place and other person will also do similar
    in support of you.

  2. I blog often and I really thank you for your content. This article has truly peaked my interest.
    I will bookmark your blog and keep checking for new details about once per week.
    I opted in for your Feed as well.

  3. I was suggested this blog by means of my cousin. I am no longer certain whether this put up is written via him
    as nobody else know such specific about my problem.

    You’re incredible! Thanks!

  6. However for these wishing to test the robot’s performance and processes such as Airbnb and
    Uber. Lincoln was assassinated by actor John Wilkes Booth in 1865 while watching a.

  8. Awesome blog! Do you have any hints for aspiring writers?
    I’m hoping to start my own website soon but I’m a
    little lost on everything. Would you recommend starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a
    paid option? There are so many options out there that I’m completely overwhelmed ..
    Any recommendations? Appreciate it!

  13. A motivating discussion is worth comment. I think
    that you need to write more on this topic, it may not be
    a taboo matter but usually people don’t talk about such issues.
    To the next! All the best!!

  14. I think the admin of this web site is actually working
    hard in favor of his website, as here every data is quality based information.

  18. Hi! This is my 1st comment here so I just wanted to give
    a quick shout out and tell you I really enjoy reading through
    your blog posts. Can you recommend any other blogs/websites/forums that cover the same subjects?
    Appreciate it!

  23. Hi everybody, here every one is sharing such know-how, so it’s nice to read this web site, and I used to visit this webpage daily.

  27. Classic Lego Sets are great for beginners as they offer endless possibilities to build and create.

    Lego blocks lloyd The
    LEGO Starry Night kit is an amazing masterpiece. It should be on display in museums of contemporary art.
    Van Gogh’s impressed! Lego is a big part of adult life. I didn’t think I
    would ever say this. It’s interesting how Lego is both nostalgic and
    innovative.

  28. Greetings from Los angeles! I’m bored to tears at work so
    I decided to check out your blog on my iphone during lunch break.

    I really like the info you present here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home.
    I’m surprised at how quick your blog loaded on my cell phone ..
    I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, awesome site!

  30. Hi to every one, for the reason that I am in fact keen of reading this weblog’s post to
    be updated regularly. It contains good material.

  31. I’ve been exploring for a little bit for any high quality articles or blog posts on this sort of space
    . Exploring in Yahoo I eventually stumbled upon this site.
    Studying this info So i’m satisfied to exhibit that I’ve a very good uncanny feeling I discovered just what I
    needed. I most no doubt will make sure to don?t disregard this web site and give it a look regularly.

  32. Hi, constantly i used to check weblog posts here in the early hours in the break of day, as
    i love to gain knowledge of more and more.

  34. Good day! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering
    if you knew where I could locate a captcha plugin for my comment form?

    I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having problems finding one?
    Thanks a lot!

  36. I have read so many posts concerning the blogger lovers however this article is truly a pleasant post, keep it up.

  37. Every weekend i used to pay a visit this website, for the reason that i wish for enjoyment, since this this website
    conations actually nice funny information too.

  38. Wow, incredible weblog layout! How long have you been running a blog for?
    you make blogging glance easy. The full look of your website is wonderful,
    as neatly as the content!

  39. Hello everyone, it’s my first pay a quick visit at this web site,
    and piece of writing is genuinely fruitful designed for me, keep up
    posting these posts.

  40. Woah! I’m really enjoying the template/theme of this site.

    It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s tough to get that
    “perfect balance” between user friendliness and appearance.

    I must say you have done a very good job with this.
    Also, the blog loads very fast for me on Safari. Outstanding Blog!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *