Sarah Mitchell
Good Friday, also known as Holy Friday, Great Friday, or Friday of the Passion of the Lord, is a Christian holy day commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It is observed by many Christian denominations, including Catholics, who regard it as a solemn day of fasting and worship. The liturgical observance of Good Friday has evolved over the centuries, with the Roman Catholic Church not celebrating Mass on this day, but instead holding a solemn liturgical service that includes veneration of the cross and communion. While the specific rituals may vary, Good Friday has been observed by Christians since the earliest days of the Church, marking a time of sorrow, penance, and remembrance of Christ's sacrifice.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | Friday before Easter |
| Observance | Commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ |
| Observed by | Catholics and other Christians |
| Etymology | Comes from the Latin "Feria sexta in Parasceve" meaning "Friday of Preparation [for the Sabbath]" |
| Synonyms | Holy Friday, Great Friday, Great and Holy Friday, Friday of the Passion of the Lord |
| Liturgy | Three parts: Liturgy of the Word, Veneration of the Cross, and Communion |
| Fasting | Catholics aged 18-59 are required to fast, and everyone aged 14 and older is asked to abstain from meat |
| Service | The Good Friday service is called the Mass of the Presanctified |
| Time | From noon to 3 pm, the hours the Bible records darkness covering the land until Jesus' death |
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What You'll Learn
The crucifixion of Jesus Christ
Good Friday, also known as Holy Friday, Great Friday, Great and Holy Friday, or Friday of the Passion of the Lord, is a solemn Christian holy day commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary (Golgotha). It is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum.
Jesus was betrayed by Judas on the night of the Last Supper, commemorated on Holy Thursday. The morning following Christ's arrest, he was brought before Annas, a powerful Jewish cleric. Annas condemned Jesus for blasphemy for refusing to repudiate Annas' words that He was the Son of God. From there, Jesus was sent to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of the province. Pontius Pilate questioned Jesus but found no reason to condemn Him. Instead, he suggested the Jewish leaders deal with Jesus according to their own law. But under Roman law, they could not execute Jesus, so they appealed to Pilate to issue the order to kill Jesus.
Jesus was given a sponge with sour wine mixed with gall, a weak, bitter painkiller often given to crucified victims. Before dying, Jesus spoke his last words, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?", which are the opening lines of Psalm 22. Guards then lanced Jesus' side to ensure He was dead. At the moment of Christ's death, an earthquake occurred, powerful enough to open tombs. Following this, the body of Christ was removed from the cross and laid in a donated tomb, buried according to custom.
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The Roman Catholic Church's role
Good Friday, also known as Holy Friday, Great Friday, Great and Holy Friday, or Friday of the Passion of the Lord, is a solemn Christian holy day commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Calvary (Golgotha). It is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum.
Historically, the Roman Catholic Church has played a role in shaping the observance of Good Friday. Beginning in the Middle Ages, the Church associated Good Friday with Easter, and it has been kept as an aliturgical day, meaning no celebration of Mass. The Mass of the Presanctified is held instead, where Communion is distributed using the Eucharist consecrated on Holy Thursday. The Three-Hour Service, a prayerful meditation on Jesus' "Seven Last Words on the Cross," was introduced to the Catholic liturgy by Jesuits in the 17th century.
The Roman Catholic Church also observes the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday, a 14-step devotion that traces Jesus' final path from condemnation by Pontius Pilate to his crucifixion and burial. This devotion is often performed during Lent, especially on Good Friday. The Church also holds a solemn liturgical service, usually around 3:00 pm, the traditional hour of Jesus' death.
In conclusion, the Roman Catholic Church's role in Good Friday is centred around commemorating the passion, crucifixion, and death of Jesus Christ. The Church observes this day with fasting, abstinence, and solemn liturgical services, including the Veneration of the Cross and the Stations of the Cross. Historically, the Church has influenced the development of Good Friday observances, such as the introduction of the Three-Hour Service and the association of the day with Easter.
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The day's traditions and rituals
Good Friday is a day of fasting for Catholics, who abstain from meat and only eat one full meal. The traditional food for this day is the hot cross bun, a spicy fruit bun marked with a cross on top. The church is stripped of its ornaments, and the altar is left bare. The solemn, muted atmosphere is preserved until the Easter Vigil.
The liturgy of Good Friday consists of the reading of the Gospel Passion narrative, the adoration of the cross, and communion. The service of Good Friday is called the Mass of the Presanctified because communion (in the species of bread) which had already been consecrated on Holy Thursday is given to the people. The solemn liturgy of Good Friday has a note of solemnity that is not found on any other day of the year. After Holy Communion and the final blessing, everyone departs in silence. There is no final hymn, and the organ does not play as people leave the church.
The Stations of the Cross are prayed in the evening of Good Friday, as on other Fridays during Lent. The Stations of the Cross can also be prayed at home: some families do this by lighting fourteen candles, extinguishing one as each station is begun. This slow darkening of the room brings a solemn sense of Good Friday.
In the fourth century, the Apostolic Constitutions described Good Friday as a 'day of mourning, not a day of festive joy'. The day is "good" because it is the day that Catholics believe their salvation was won for them by Christ on the Cross. However, it is also a day of sorrow, solemnity, and mourning.
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The history of Good Friday
Good Friday, also known as Holy Friday, Great Friday, Great and Holy Friday, or Friday of the Passion of the Lord, is a solemn Christian holy day commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Calvary. It is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum.
Good Friday has been observed as a day of sorrow, penance, and fasting since the early days of Christianity. Byzantine Christians (Eastern Christians who follow the Rite of Constantinople: Orthodox Christians and Greek-Catholics) call this day "Great and Holy Friday", or simply "Great Friday". The Roman Catholic Church regards Good Friday and Holy Saturday as the Paschal fast, with Good Friday being the only day in the liturgical year when the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is not celebrated. Instead, the Church holds a solemn liturgical service, usually around 3:00 pm, the traditional hour of Jesus' death.
The liturgy of Good Friday consists of the reading of the Gospel Passion narrative, the adoration of the cross, and Communion. In the 17th century, the Jesuits introduced the Three-Hour Service, a prayerful meditation on Jesus' "Seven Last Words on the Cross", to the Catholic liturgy. This service takes place between noon and 3:00 pm, corresponding to the hours of darkness recorded in the Bible before Jesus' death on the cross.
The liturgical celebration of Good Friday has undergone various changes over the centuries. In the Middle Ages, only the officiating priest took Holy Communion, which had been consecrated in the Maundy Thursday mass. Since 1955, laypeople have also communed on Good Friday. The Good Friday liturgy has three parts: the Liturgy of the Word, the Veneration of the Cross, and the Service of Communion.
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The importance of Good Friday
Good Friday, also known as Holy Friday, Great Friday, Great and Holy Friday, or Friday of the Passion of the Lord, is a solemn Christian holy day commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary (Golgotha). It is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum.
Good Friday is an important day for Christians as it celebrates what is believed to be the most momentous weekend in the history of the world. It is a reminder of the incredible outpouring of Christ's love and obedience, even unto death on a cross. It is also a reminder of our desperate need for a saviour.
Good Friday is a widely recognised holiday around the world, with many countries observing it as a legal holiday. It is a day of fasting for many Christians, including Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans, Methodists, and Oriental Orthodox Christians. In many Catholic, Lutheran, and Anglican churches, the Service of the Great Three Hours' Agony is held from noon until 3 p.m.—the hours the Bible records darkness covering the land until Jesus' death on the cross.
The liturgy of Good Friday consists of the reading of the Gospel Passion narrative, the adoration of the cross, and Communion. In the Roman Catholic Church, plenary indulgence is obtained if the faithful venerate the cross with piety in the solemn Celebration of the Passion of the Lord on Good Friday. The novena to the Divine Mercy begins on that day and lasts until the Saturday before Divine Mercy Sunday.
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Frequently asked questions
Good Friday, also known as Holy Friday, Great Friday, Great and Holy Friday, or Friday of the Passion of the Lord, is a solemn Christian holy day commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Calvary.
The tradition of observing Good Friday was instituted in 325, as it coincided with the Jewish Passover, which was instituted by God. However, some sources claim that the day was kept beginning in the Middle Ages as it was associated with Easter by the Roman Catholic Church.
In the Catholic Church, Good Friday is observed with fasting, abstinence, and a solemn liturgical service. There is no Mass or celebration of the Eucharist. Instead, the service includes readings from Scripture, the adoration of the cross, and Communion.
Good Friday is a holy day in the Catholic Church, as it commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. It is a day of penance, reflection, and mourning, where Catholics honour the great sacrifice made by Jesus on the cross.
No, Good Friday is observed by many Christian denominations, including Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, Anglican, Methodist, Oriental Orthodox, United Protestant, and some Reformed traditions.
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