Good Friday is the day on which Jesus Christ died after his crucification. Christians observe this day in a very different way and consider it one of the holiest days of the year. Read on to learn how to observe Good Friday.Good Friday is the Friday before Easter Sunday and since it is believed that Jesus died this day, it is the most sombre day of the year for Christians. Those who believe in God try to commemorate the suffering and death of the Lord on cross.
Many Christians keep fast on this day and spend the day praying and meditating on the anguish and pain of Christ on the cross. They express their sorrow and grief by sitting in silence and praying for a specific period of time.
How to Observe Good Friday
Learn about the ways in which
Good Friday is observed.
- Since the death of the Lord, Jesus Christ is observed, all the crosses, images and idols of Jesus Christ are covered with black piece of cloth.
- All candles are extinguished to pray and mourned in dark.
- Some people carry out the prayer in complete silence at home while some attend special prayers held in churches.
- Some observe complete fast the entire day while some keep partial fast excluding meat from the meal.
- Some homes are in complete silence while some play specific music that day.
- Most of the homes, especially with kids, bake hot cross buns which are considered as the traditional sweet baked and served that day.
- Church services are usually held in afternoon around 3pm, the same time when Jesus was hung on cross.
- Processions are taken out to help people participate in realising the suffering of Jesus.
- You can attend the service at the nearest church. In some churches dedicated people re-enact the suffering of Christ on Good Friday.
- You can participate in the Holy Communion, which are given in catholic and other churches.
- You can also attend the Stations of the Cross, where participants sing hymns and pray while moving from station to station.
- Nowadays people focus more on charitable deeds rather than keeping fast on this special day.
Why Death of Jesus is Called Good Friday?
Many people think that how can the anniversary of crucification be ‘good’. Well, the ‘good’ in the Good Friday means ‘holy’. Many think that even if people observe the day in silence and prayers, realizing the suffering of Jesus, the day is termed ‘good’.However, some believe that ‘Good Friday’ has stemmed out from ‘God’s Friday’.This day is also known as Black Friday or Sorrowful Friday in some parts of the globe.
Symbols
Good Friday plays a very important part in Christian faith. The crucifix or cross is an important symbol seen in the hands of people on this day because it represents the death of Christ. Some hold plain crosses while some of the crosses have figure of Christ on them. Another symbol is black cloth which people use to cover the cross and images or statues of Christ on this day. This signifies mourning. Some people even remove flowers and shiny objects from their homes to express grief.
Although Good Friday is observed as sorrowful Friday, it is the day which is meant for the families to make and eat together. It has always challenged human goodness and it reminds that in face of sin, our goodness rewards nothing. Only God did this for us and so it requires celebration. People celebrate the entire week and each day is observed in different way. Also
Easter is celebrated on the following Sunday as resurrection of Lord Jesus had taken place on this day after his crucification on Friday.
Christians observe this day with humility and devotion. To most Christians Good Friday is a day of sorrow mixed with joy. It is a day to grieve over the sins of humans and rejoice on realising that God forgives everyone and died for the entire humankind. Sacrifice of Jesus for the entire human race is honoured and remembered on this day.
Why do people mourn on the day of ‘Good Friday’? Lord Jesus was crucified on Good Friday, so why this day is referred as ‘Good’? How is Good Friday observed? Discuss here. 
