MAIN Holidays & Observances Easter Good Friday

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. Others believe that "good" eventually became a corruption of God, or an old English word meaning "holy."

Today, Christian churches around the world 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.

On Good Friday, hot cross buns symbolzie Christ's crucificion.

In other communities, Good Friday is remembered with street processions (most notably in Jerusalem) that not only commemorate Jesus' crucifixion but preach the profound feelings of hope for mankind in his resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Meanwhile, in neighborhood bakeries throughout Europe and North America another tradition marks Good Friday in the form of hot cross buns that are topped with sugar icing in the sign of the cross, symbolizing the crucifixion.

The origins of hot cross buns are believed to date back to pagan spring celebrations, 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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