What Is Good Friday? Here’s What To Know About The Holy Holiday
For many Christians, Easter is an important holiday with church services to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. For others, it’s a secular celebration with bunnies, treat-filled baskets and decorated eggs.
But two days before Easter Sunday is another important Christian holiday. Known as Good Friday, the holy day commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus.
What is Good Friday?
According to the Christian faith, Jesus was arrested and put on trial for claiming to be the Son of God. Roman authorities sentenced him to death by crucifixion. He was beaten and forced to carry a wooden cross to the place of execution — called Golgotha or Calvary — where he was nailed to the cross and left to die. Jesus was eventually taken down from the cross and buried, according to the Bible.
Christians believe Jesus died on the cross to save humanity from its sins and restore people’s relationship with God. Many Christians refer to this belief as the Atonement.
Commemorating Jesus’ crucifixion, Good Friday is a solemn day of mourning and reflection for Christians, who often attend special church services and prayer vigils.
Good Friday is a part of Holy Week, which includes Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday, and Good Friday, leading up to Easter Sunday.
How do Christians observe Good Friday?
Christians observe Good Friday in different ways, but here are some standard practices:
Fasting: Some Christians fast to commemorate Jesus’ sacrifice, while others will refrain from eating meat.
Stations of the Cross: In this 14-step devotional practice, people retrace Jesus’ final steps before his crucifixion. The stations are often represented through paintings in a church or outdoors.
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Good Friday Processions: Some countries and cultures march with images and statues of Jesus or reenact his crucifixion.
Prayer and Church Services: Many Christians pray to contemplate the significance of Jesus’ sacrifice and his death.
Although Christians know Easter is approaching, church services on Good Friday often reflect the tone of the crucifixion and death of Jesus through Bible readings, prayers and hymns.
In Nigeria, the Federal Government declared Good Friday and Easter Monday as public holidays to celebrate the death and resurrection of Christ.
President Bola Tinubu also felicitated Christians in Nigeria and worldwide as they commemorate Easter, the celebration of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection—the cornerstone of the Christian faith.
Tinubu in his Easter message to Nigerians thanked the citizens “for your patience and resilience as our economy begins to show encouraging signs of recovery. We understand the economic challenges many of you are facing, and we are working tirelessly to restore investor confidence, stabilise key sectors, and build an inclusive economy that serves the interests of all Nigerians.”
He also expressed gratitude to God for “Pope Francis’s recovery. We pray that his renewed strength continues to inspire his leadership and service to humanity.”
The Nigerian leader also prayed that “Easter’s spirit fills every heart and home with renewed faith in the immense possibilities ahead of us as a nation. Just as Christ triumphed over death, so too shall our country triumph over every challenge we face. The present moment may be cloudy, but it will usher in a glorious day.”
He called on Nigerians to remain hopeful, united, and resolute in pursuing national progress.
“The task before us is enormous, but together, with faith and determination, there is no obstacle we cannot overcome. Our unity and resilience are our greatest strengths.
“May the risen Christ bless our homes with peace and our nation with continued unity and prosperity,” he stated.
