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.

This year, mark your calendar for Friday, March 29, 2024 when Good Friday is observed among Christians around the world.

All about Good Friday

Why "Good" Friday? No one knows for sure.

Church scholars sometimes point to the Eastern Orthodox observance known as Great Friday. Others believe that "good" eventually became a corruption of God, or an old English word meaning "holy." Around the world (see below) Good Friday may also be known as Easter Friday, Holy Friday, or Silent Friday.

Today, Christian churches traditionally hold no masses on Good Friday. Instead, silence is observed from noon until 3:00 p.m. to symbolize Jesus' last hours on the cross. In Roman Catholic churches, Good Friday may also be observed with The Stations of the Cross - a reenactment of the procession to Mount Calvary where Jesus was crucified.

Detail from Crucifixion, an alterpiece by Renaissance artist Andrea Mantegna (1431–1506).

Good Friday around the world

Meanwhile, across the world churches still ring in the day with 33 bell tolls in remembrance of Christ's years on Earth.

In neighborhood bakeries, another tradition marks Good Friday in the form of hot cross buns topped with sugar icing in the sign of the cross symbolizing the crucifixion.

Throughout Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala "alrombras," -- religious artworks of colorful sand and sawdust -- are created on city streets to mark the way for religious processions.

In New Zealand, TV commercials are banned until noon on Good Friday out of respect for the solemn religious observance.

While it may not be an official holiday in many areas of the world (the US included) schools, banks, and business may close for the day to observe the Friday before Easter.

also see in Society -> Friday the 13th

More about Good Friday around the Web:

How to Observe Good Friday - Here's a brief but informative story on how Catholics traditionally observe the holy day.

Good Friday - Wikipedia - Check out a complete overview including how it is observed by churches around the world, customs associated with the holy day, and a related image gallery.

What's So Good About Good Friday? - And "Why isn't called 'Bad Friday'?"