Good Friday

Feria sexta in Passione et Morte Domini

Good Friday is the day of commemoration of Jesus Christ's suffering and death on the cross. He had been arrested and tried by the Sanhedrin, where he was declared guilty of blasphemy and sorcery.

He was then sent to Pontius Pilate, the Roman ruler. He handed Jesus over to be crucified, however he had washed his hands of condemning a potential innocent (Matthew 27:24)

He carried his cross to Calvary and was crucified along with two thieves. One of the thieves repents but the other mocked Jesus and would not go to heaven.

Psalm 22: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

Paul Gustave Doré (1877)

The ‘Good’ in Good Friday is remembering Jesus sacrificed himself for the sake of everyone, washing away sin to be reunited with God once again.

What happens on this day?

Prayer, service or a moment of silence for the time of day Jesus was dying on the cross from noon to three p.m.

For most Christian countries this day is a holiday. To keep the solemnity, dancing in Germany and horse riding in the UK are some of the activities banned just for this day.

Fasting

A Black Fast is observed on this day. No food is eaten at all until after a prayer at sunset, where the only permitted foods are fasting foods.

Previous Day: Holy Thursday

Next Day: Holy Saturday