Meaning Of Good Friday

Good Friday is an event to mark the crucifixion of Christ and his subsequent death. This day has been observed as a holiday in many parts of the world and is even referred to as Great Friday or Black Friday that is followed by Easter Saturday and Sunday. Why it is called Good Friday is not completely clear but it had its origin in the German words “Gute Freitag” that implies Good Friday. The day despite being linked with Christ’s suffering is held as ”good” since Jesus it is believed had ended his life to cleanse mankind of its sins. Another interpretation is that the name was derived from God’s Friday wherein the word “Good” was used to replace “God”.

Most Christians from the Roman Catholic Church observe fast on this occasion and no celebrations take place apart from Baptism. The prayer service comprises of an empty altar without candlesticks and crosses or bells because the idea is to observe solemnity. Earlier the Church used to keep aside every Friday to observe fasting and prayers but from the 4th century onwards the Church began to associate the Friday before Easter as one of Christ’s crucifixion  and the  name Good Friday came about from the 6th or 7th centuries.

Good Friday rituals begin after midnight up to 3 am when prayers are recited by clerics. In the morning the priests read out scriptures followed by prayers begging for the mercy and forgiveness of God. At noon takes place the Adoration of the Cross when the clergy pays homage to the Lord. Protestants too hold special services during this time period when Jesus is believed to have been hanged. These services focus on the seven last words spoken by Christ and is termed as the Service of Darkness in Western churches when lights are dimmed gradually and finally put out completely signifying the darkness that descended on us when Jesus died. The rationale behind this event is to recreate the agony surrounding the events leading to the crucifixion. However not all Christians observe Good Friday rituals and observe his death on a Wednesday that coincides with the Passover lamb sacrifices by Jews.

Good Friday is an integral part of Easter celebrations because it commemorates Christ’s death and resurrection. Christ’s trial is believed to have occurred during what is now called the Holy Week ending with his crucifixion on a Friday. The significance of this day is universally observed because it is held that if Jesus had not undergone that suffering and died, Christians could never have been saved.