New Delhi: Good Friday, also known as Great Friday, Holy Friday, Easter Friday, or Black Friday, is a notable day for the Christian world because it recalls Jesus Christ’s crucifixion. Now the question must be asked: why is the day known as Good Friday if it has such a dismal history? In some circles, the provenance of the term “good” in Good Friday is disputed. Some say ‘good’ appears to mean pious or holy because Christians think that Jesus’ death connotes forgiveness for all of mankind’s sins, with Jesus compromising himself for the good of humanity, which is why the day is also known as Holy Friday since that embodies Christ’s death and misery for his people. Others suggest it is a shortened version of ‘God Friday,’ and that the title is obtained from the terms God’s Friday. Various countries, namely India, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, Bermuda, Brazil, Finland, Malta, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, and Sweden, recognize Good Friday as a federal holiday.
Date:
The sixth day during Holy Week, which adds up to Easter, is Good Friday. So according to mythology, the crucifixion actually occurred approximately AD 30 or AD 33. Easter is marked on the first Sunday after the Paschal Full Moon, which this year happens on April 17th, and Good Friday will happen on April 15th, as per the Church’s Lunar calendar.
History:
Whereas the title “Good Friday” does not originate in the Holy Bible, the religious text does notify us of Jesus’ treason by Judas, which terminated in his incarceration. After first being put on a cross and made to carry it to his crucifixion spot, he was flogged by Roman troops. Even though the name ‘Good’ is incongruent with the events of the day, several people feel it is connected with the words ‘pious or holy,’ and Good Friday is decided to follow by Easter Sunday, the day that Jesus was risen out from dead.
Significance:
Christians recall the crucifixion of Jesus Christ during Good Friday. For Christians all around the world, it is a day of grieving, sorrow, and hunger. For the same reason, the day is also referred to as Black Friday. Good Friday, also called Holy Friday, commemorates the completion of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting for Christians.
Good Friday is divinely guided because it was on this day when Jesus Christ, out of love for all people, gave up his life as a tribute while enduring their sins. Humanity was given a new start as a result of this action, and all of its misdeeds were forgiven.
Despite the fact that Jesus Christ was killed on Good Friday, the Bible claims that the son of God was raised on Easter. It represents the truth that good always prevails, and the fact that Jesus went through so much pain for humanity’s crimes indicates how much he loved everyone.
Good Friday is observed in the following ways by Christians:
People fast and pray to the Lord on Good Friday, which is a day of lament. It is a day to reflect on the sufferings of Jesus Christ. On this day, church ceremonies are from noon to 3 p.m., and statue decorations are removed. Priests wear robes that are black in colour. It is the most solemn, solemn, and holy day of the year for Christians.
Christians will not eat meat during Good Friday, and the customary dish served is hot cross buns. Numerous people, although, tend to receive fish though rather than beef. Fish is ingested because it is supposed to be a different form of flesh because it derives from the sea. Fish forms were also considered to be secret emblems for use by Christians to identify one another during such a period when their faith was illegal. Most of the other people who are following Jesus Christ were fishermen as well.
Meal preparatory work for Good Friday generally begins a week ahead, with the kneading and braiding of bread dough. Churches remember the day with a service that usually takes place in the evening, throughout which they sing a song, perform thanksgiving prayers, highlights the implications of the day, and celebrate the Lord’s Supper.
During Good Friday, Catholics refuse to eat meat in preference for fish, and it is also customary to ingest warm hot cross buns. Unless they have health issues or are under the age of consent, they normally fast on this day. On the other hand, whereas Protestants do not have any diet restrictions on Good Friday, many adhere to the ‘no meat’ rule which Catholics do.
The following Sunday is Easter, which recalls Jesus’ rebirth. Christians also celebrate Lent, a 40-day period that started on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter Sunday, except on Sundays. In certain parts of India, special three-hour sessions are held at noon, the time when Jesus is alleged to have been crucified. The lights are reduced and finally turned off. To grieve the disappearance of God and the sadness that comes with it, followers dress in black and cover all religious images, crosses, and symbols in churches and in houses.
To represent the earthquake that hit during Jesus’ final hours, a loud noise is made. The Gospel passages regarding Jesus’ Seven Last Words are read aloud. Catholics reenact the fourteen stations, which depict Jesus’ final journey all across the church and its surroundings. The Holy Communion is held at a number of locations. After the service, everyone tastes a bitter drink typically made of leaves and vinegar. In other locations, hymns are sung and prayers are offered throughout parades. Some villages also put on open-air dramas portraying Jesus Christ’s final hours.
