MAIN Holidays & Observances Easter Good Friday

Good Friday tradition: hot cross buns.

Traditionally, Good Friday occurs between March 20 and April 23 on the Friday before Easter, and commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus.

Why "Good" Friday?

No one knows for sure.

However, church scholars sometimes point to the very same Eastern Orthodox observance known as Great Friday, while others believe that "good" eventually became a corruption of God, or an old English word meaning "holy."

Today, Christian churches traditionally hold services on Good Friday from noon until 3:00 p.m. to symbolize Jesus' last hours on the cross. In Catholic churches especially this includes The Stations of the Cross, a reenactment of the procession to Mount Calvary where Jesus was crucified.

Another seasonal tradition, hot cross buns, are either home-baked or bought in bakeries on Good Friday. The yeast buns are usually topped by sugar icing in the form of the cross, symbolising the crucifixion.

The origins of hot cross buns are believed to date back to pagan times, when ox horns were carved into ritual bread prepared at the festival of Eostre. The ox horns were later replaced by the sign of the Christian cross.

More about Good Friday around the Web:

How to Observe Good Friday

Good Friday - Wikipedia

BBC - Religion & Ethics - Good Friday

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