Good Friday occurs
between March 20th
and April 23rd
on the Friday before
Easter.
Good Friday
commemorates the
crucifixion of Jesus.
According to the
Gospels, Jesus was put
to death on the Friday
before
Easter Day.
There are few
explanations as to why
the holiday is known as
"Good" Friday since it
commemorates a sorrowful
time in Christianity.
Some scholars believe
that "good" is a
corruption of the word
"God's" while others
speculate that "good"
was used to denote
"holy". In Eastern
Orthodox churches, the
observance is known as
Great Friday.
Since the early
church Good Friday has
been observed by
fasting, penance, and
prayer. For many years
the day had no
association with the
death of Jesus but was
simply another day of
fasting. It has been
associated with the
crucifixion since the
late fourth century.
Many churches now
have mourning services
from noon until 3:00
p.m. to symbolize Jesus'
last hours on the cross.
Some congregations also
re-enact Jesus'
procession to the cross
in a ritual known as
Stations of the Cross.
In the Roman Catholic
Church, the Good Friday
liturgical service
involves three distinct
parts:
-
readings and
prayers, including
the reading of the
Passion from the
Gospel of St. John;
-
the veneration of
the cross;
-
and a general
communion service
(formerly called the
Mass of the
Pre-sanctified),
using bread and wine
consecrated the
previous day, Maundy
Thursday.
Other forms of
observance include
prayer and meditation at
the Stations of the
Cross, a succession of
14 images on wooden
crosses depicting
Christ's crucifixion and
the events leading up to
it.
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