Good Friday
Christian holy day commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus.
Good Friday—also called Holy Friday, Great Friday, Great and Holy Friday, or the Friday of the Passion of the Lord—is a solemn Christian observance that marks the crucifixion and death of Jesus at Calvary, or Golgotha. It falls during Holy Week and is part of the Paschal Triduum. Christians from many traditions, including Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Lutherans, Anglicans, Methodists, Oriental Orthodox, United Protestants, and some Reformed groups (such as certain Continental Reformed, Presbyterian, and Congregationalist churches), mark the day with fasting and special church services.
In Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, and Methodist congregations, a Service of the Great Three Hours' Agony is often held from noon to 3 p.m., the time the Bible says darkness covered the land until Jesus died. That same evening, many in Catholic, Lutheran, and Anglican churches pray the Stations of the Cross, as they do on other Fridays during Lent. Among Moravian Christians, a distinctive Good Friday tradition involves cleaning gravestones in Moravian cemeteries.
The date of Good Friday shifts each year in both the Gregorian and Julian calendars. Eastern and Western Christianity disagree on how to compute the date of Easter, and thus Good Friday as well. The day is a widely recognized legal holiday in many parts of the world. In some predominantly Christian countries, such as Germany, laws restrict certain activities—like public dancing or horse racing—to reflect the somber character of the day.
**Etymology**
The name “Good Friday” draws on an older meaning of *good*: “pious” or “holy.” This sense appears less commonly in phrases like “the good book” for the Bible, “good tide” for Christmas or Shrovetide, and “Good Wednesday” for the Wednesday of Holy Week. A common folk explanation ties the word *good* to the Christian belief that Jesus’s death on the cross brought about humanity’s salvation: “Christians believe that Jesus's death on the cross was the ultimate sacrifice for humanity's sins, saving mankind from death.” Another folk etymology mistakenly traces “Good Friday” to a supposed corruption of “God Friday,” similar to how *goodbye* comes from “God be with ye.” In Old English, the day was called *Long Friday* (*langa frigedæg*), referring to the extended fasting and religious observances that made it a day of prolonged devotion. Scandinavian languages and Finnish still
- also_known_as
- Holy Friday, Great Friday, Great and Holy Friday, Friday of the Passion of the Lord
- observance
- Commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus at Calvary
- observed_by
- Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, Anglican, Methodist, Oriental Orthodox, United Protestant, and some Reformed traditions
- date_variation
- Varies annually in both Gregorian and Julian calendars; Eastern and Western Christianity disagree over computation
- legal_status
- Widely instituted legal holiday; some countries (e.g., Germany) prohibit certain acts like public dancing and horse racing
Lore & Background
According to the Gospel accounts, Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane after being betrayed by Judas Iscariot for 30 pieces of silver. He was taken before Annas, then Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin, where conflicting testimony was brought. When asked under oath if he was the Anointed One, Jesus replied ambiguously, and the high priest condemned him for blasphemy, with the Sanhedrin concurring a death sentence. Peter denied Jesus three times as foretold. In the morning, Jesus was brought to Pontius Pilate, who found no basis for sentencing and referred the case to Herod; Herod sent Jesus back. Pilate, after his wife's warning, attempted to release Jesus, but the crowd demanded Barabbas and cried 'Crucify him.' Pilate washed his hands and handed Jesus over to be crucified. Jesus carried his cross to Golgotha, assisted by Simon of Cyrene, and was crucified with two criminals. From noon to 3 pm darkness covered the land; Jesus cried out quoting Psalm 22, then gave up his spirit. An earthquake occurred, the Temple curtain tore, and the centurion declared, 'Truly this was God's Son!' Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus buried Jesus in a new tomb.
Reader's Guide
Good Friday holds profound significance in Christianity as the day of Jesus's crucifixion and death, which Christians believe was the ultimate sacrifice for humanity's sins. The term 'Good Friday' derives from an obsolete sense of 'good' meaning 'pious, holy,' though a common folk etymology links it to the good that came from Jesus's death. The day is observed with fasting and church services across many denominations. In Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, and Methodist churches, the Service of the Great Three Hours' Agony is held from noon to 3 pm, the hours of darkness recorded in the Bible. The Stations of the Cross are prayed in the evening. Eastern Orthodox Christians call it 'Great and Holy Friday,' never celebrating the Divine Liturgy except when it coincides with the Annunciation; clergy wear black vestments, and church hangings are changed to black. The date of Good Friday varies annually, with Eastern and Western Christianity disagreeing over its computation. Good Friday is a legal holiday in many countries, with some, like Germany, prohibiting public dancing and horse racing in remembrance of its somber nature.
Did You Know?
- In Old English, Good Friday was called 'Long Friday' (langa frigedæg), referring to lengthy observances of fasting and religious services.
- A common folk etymology incorrectly analyzes Good Friday as a corruption of 'God Friday,' similar to the derivation of 'goodbye' from 'God be with ye.'
- Members of the Moravian Church have a tradition of cleaning gravestones in Moravian cemeteries on Good Friday.
- The centurion at the crucifixion declared, 'Truly this was God's Son!' after Jesus gave up his spirit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Good Friday?
Good Friday is a solemn Christian observance that commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus at Calvary, also called Golgotha. It sits within Holy Week and forms part of the Paschal Triduum, observed by Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists, Oriental Orthodox, and several Reformed traditions.
What are Good Friday's powers/role?
The day's central function is to mark the moment of Christ's suffering and death on the cross. Rather than being a celebration, it is typically observed through fasting, silence, and special liturgical services across most Christian communities.
How does Good Friday's story end?
Good Friday serves as the lowest point of the Paschal Triduum, closing the narrative of Holy Week before the transition into Holy Saturday. It deliberately sets the stage for the Resurrection celebration on Easter Sunday, giving that joy its theological weight.
Why is Good Friday important?
It is regarded as the most theologically significant single day in the Christian calendar because it memorializes the sacrifice believers hold as the basis of salvation. Its gravity is reflected in its widespread status as a legal public holiday across many nations.
When does Good Friday appear?
The date shifts every year because it is anchored to the lunar calendar, and Eastern and Western Christianity can disagree on the exact computation. In the Gregorian calendar it always falls between March 22 and April 25, while Julian-calendar traditions may place it on a different day.
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