Good Friday: History, Origins, Traditions, and Rituals

Most countries around the world celebrate Good Friday and consider it a national holiday.

Good Friday is the anniversary of Jesus’ death. 

As stated in the Bible, Jesus was put to death on the Friday before Easter. Generally, this day coincides with the Jewish Passover holiday.

This is the only way to save His people and reunite with Him.

Despite its seemingly contradictory name, Good Friday is a significant day for Christians around the world. Many people ask these questions as they approach the Easter season: What is Good Friday? Why is it called “Good” when it is a horrible, dark, and unwelcoming event leading to the suffering and death of Jesus Christ?

History of Good Friday

As early as the first century, celebrating “Good Friday” was set as an extra special day of prayer. This is a remarkable event, yet the crucial day of the year. It’s about remembering and honoring what people believe to be the most fateful history of the world.

After Jesus died and was raised, Christians declared the cross and resurrection of Jesus to be the critical turning point for all creation. Paul regarded it to be “of first importance” that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and was raised to life on the third day as the Scriptures said. (1 Corinthians 15:3)

There is no definite day in commemorating Good Friday. Christians started to observe the Friday before Easter which is related to Christ. 

Formerly, it was described as Holy or Great Friday by the Greek Faith. The name “Good Friday” was already embraced by the Church of Rome around the sixth or seventh century.

Good Friday is the day that Jesus suffered and died for everyone by crucifixion as His ultimate sacrifice for our sins. It was followed by Easter, which was the great celebration of the day Jesus rose from the dead. Announcing His victory over sin and death by looking forward to the future resurrection and becoming united to him by faith. 

Jesus art

Good Friday Origins

In the Bible, Good Friday accounts for the trial, torture, and crucifixion of Jesus Christ and this happened between 4-7 B.C.E in the region of Palestine. 

Jesus was sentenced to death by the Roman governor by using a form of capital punishment called crucifixion. He was nailed to the cross and hung from it until His death around 30 C.E. After His death, He rose back to life and His resurrection provides a way that people can be reunited with God. 

The term Good Friday has evolved over the years. This English phrase “Good Friday” came from the Old German name Gottes Freytag which in origin also means “good” or “holy” Friday. In the present time, the Germans know the day as Karfreigta, which means “Care Friday” or “Friday of the Mourning”. Other nicknames for the day include “Black Friday” or “Sorrowful Friday”. Every country has its version of what they call this day.

In Norway, it is called Langfredag.

They call it Pitkäperjanti in Finland, both of which mean Long Friday

In Sweden, it is also called Long Friday. It is presumed that this name came about in credential to the days of many and lengthy religious services. 

In Spain, it is known as  Viernes Santo or Holy Friday

Most of the time and up to the present,  the day is referred to as Holy Friday or Great Friday. 

Regardless of what would be the perfect term to use, it will remain Jesus Christ’s greatest sacrifice for mankind. Gave His whole life until death, and rose back and became unified to people who believe in Him.

Why “Good” Friday?

Are you still confused about the reason behind “Good Friday” when this day is all about Jesus Christ’s death by offering His life to everyone? Why not call it “Bad Friday” or other similar terms?

The term “good” is being debated by a lot of Bible experts. It mentioned that it was developed through an older name which is “God’s Friday”. They merely mean the suffering, and the death of Jesus, as terrible as it was, and manifest the dramatic climax of God’s plan just to save His people from their sins. The day of suffering, pain, sadness, and blood at the cross is “to demonstrate at present His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” (Romans 3:26).

To obtain a deep definition of Good Friday, it was explained that the suffering and death of Jesus to save His people had to happen for us to receive the joy of Easter. It is a fulfillment of God’s grace, to know Him, follow His words, and take action as a huge start to Good Friday. It is the perfect sacrificial substitute to have the forgiveness and salvation of Jesus, be poured out to the world. 

Everyone will receive divine forgiveness, mercy, and peace because God took our punishment which is the result of His virtue against sin. The joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrew 12:2). It marks the day of pique and compassion connected at the cross.

Good friday

Good Friday Traditions and Rituals

Commemorating Jesus’ death is usually performed through activities to demonstrate how to be grateful for God’s grace. Here is a major list to begin with.

  • Prayer starts at 3:00 AM – This is the first activity of most people to honor and memorialize God. The priest/pastor/churchman and other clerics are obliged to wake up at three in the morning to recite the key prayers.
  • Adoration of the Cross – The time of representation of the “True Cross”. This is displayed to followers and believers who want to see and feel God. 
  • Mass/Communion – This will begin through a church service which means to worship and devotion to Jesus Christ, the savior of all. To bear the sacrifice, yet to get blessed beyond everything. In this type of ceremony, some are singing, dancing, and bending on their knees as an expression of praising Jesus.
  • Fasting – The practice of celebrating without food or bread and water from Good Friday until Easter Sunday. This is the major task for most believers and followers of God, but few are optional. It means to recognize their sorrow in Jesus’ death, but also to increase their faith.
  • Meditate and Rejoice in God’s Love – It ends in the evening prayer, and it talks about the reenactments according to the (Gospel of John) Stations of the Cross, and the singing of a suitable carol. Others might call it the Burial of Jesus Christ, which symbolizes the “Victory over the power of death and darkness”.

Contemporary Ceremonies

There are only two-component which may require in preparing for God’s greatest sacrifice:

  • Worship – It is an inner core and external of the daily act of love, Paul says “I appeal to you, therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” (Romans 12:1)
  • Devotion – It is a plan of reading The Holy Bible and Meditation that has a deep understanding of the Word of God and is designed to change the mind; meant to change the heart.

Symbols and Customs of Good Friday

These are the main elements that focus only on Jesus towards His suffering and the result of reminiscing His existence:

  • Rooster – This is symbolic of the denial of Peter, one of Jesus’ disciples. He was accused of being a follower of Christ. However, Jesus said to him, “truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” (Mark 14:30).
  • Cross – The cross on which Jesus Christ died is a symbol of salvation and redemption. The older name is called The Latin Cross (longer upright and shorter crossbar) a usual symbol of the Passion of Christ. The greatest manifestations of faith, hope, and love (1 Corinthians 13:13).
  • Crowns of Thorns – An emblem of the Passion of Christ and crucifixion. The soldiers delivered Jesus to Pontius Pilate, dressed Him in purple, and placed a crown of thorns on His head. And they began to salute Him with mock respect and cried “Hail, King of the Jews!” (Mark 15:18)
  • Hot Cross Buns – The Greek word “boun” refers to a cake ceremonial or circular and offered to the Gods. Therefore, it is also part of a symbol as a superstition of being baked on Good Friday.
  • Black (color) – The sacramental color of Good Friday is Black which means grief and death. The color design dictates the gown to wear or other decoration of the churches.
empty cross

Good Friday Celebration around the World

The followers and believers of Jesus Christ have their way to celebrate Good Friday and memorialize its salvation of it. Most of these countries declared that Good Friday is a Public Holiday. Let’s learn some of their countries’ rituals and traditions: 

In Australia and The United Kingdom, similar things are focused on the Ritual of Fast day by eating small meals, but no meat at all. Some can change the meat to fish and churches have many special services. Also, they get long prayer vigils. Traditionally, people eat hot cross buns on Good Friday.

In Bermuda, they called it Kite Day. Local women are busy cooking traditional Easter Treats – fish cakes served with hot cross buns.

In Singapore, they like to gather with family and friends and celebrate to eat delicious food. Their main course is a lamb and they believe that Jesus is the Lamb of God. God gave Jesus to be killed like a lamb for our sins so people could live forever.

The Philippines and Mexico similarly marked Good Friday with the ritual crucifixion and other blood-soaked reenactments of Jesus Christ’s suffering until the final moment before His death. Despite this, thousands of tourists and devotees flock to watch the spectacle each year. Additionally, it is a solemn day when churches are often draped in dark colors.

In France, they treat Good Friday as a fast day in which they can only eat one full meal without meat. French families would eat fish, and sometimes this day was known as “Fish Day”.

In Rome, London, and Italy, the Passion will start at 6 pm, Stations of the Cross at 9 pm, and they will see the Pope traverse Saint Peter’s square, and pray. A religious service called crucifixion is performed on Victoria Street. It has a universal service, which means for everyone. The famous performance is The Way of the Cross in Rome, Italy. 

In Germany, it was known as Karfreitag. The word Kar comes from the old German Kara means sorrow or grief. They traditionally have no church services, no bells are supposed to ring, no songs are sung, and no music should be played like the day Jesus was crucified. 

And in Jerusalem, the exciting part of the celebration is by following the Old City Path and retracing the 14 stations of the Cross. Traditionally, Christians follow the footsteps of Jesus leading to the site of the crucifixion. 

The “Goodness” of Good Friday

Good Friday is realizing the importance of the sacrifice of Jesus to be extremely valuable. He left the physical world but was always present spiritually. 

There are many things to consider like having strong faith in God, believing with your whole heart, being a follower, and many more that inevitably draw you closer to Him. All the pain, suffering, sorrow, and blood of Jesus will be poured into love. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do, and they cast lots to divide his garments”. (Luke 23:34)

Then, everything changes to “It is finished”. There is nothing more to be done concerning salvation and gratitude for a perfect and fully reunited with God.

Summary

Good Friday was a single day of Jesus’ life. The first time that He stepped onto the world, Jesus suffered the physical, mental and emotional pain of human life while He was living in Nazareth. 

It is better to say that Good Friday was a great act of a complete mission; conquering the darkness and sin. 

John 11:25-26 Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he dies, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.

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Alex Shute
EDITOR
Alex Shute, MBA
Alex is a family man and entrepreneur based in Los Angeles. His passion is to serve the global Church and bring people of diverse backgrounds together to learn & grow.


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