For Christians throughout the world, Good Friday in modern times represents the day believed to be when Jesus Christ was crucified in Jerusalem more than 2,000 years ago. How the seemingly inappropriate phrase for such a tragic day started is conjecture. It was possibly derived from the time when it was originally being called God Friday. It could have been because of the belief that Jesus was the Son of God. Other more descriptive names through the years have been Great Friday, Black Friday and Sorrowful Friday.
The purpose of Good Friday every year is for Christians is to spend it in prayer and reflection on the original Biblical meaning. The religion’s Savior died on the Cross to atone for all the sins of mankind, and in the hope that His terrible sacrifice would bring peace and love throughout the world.
In many churches on Good Friday, between noon to three p.m., priests and ministers usually conduct three hours of solemn prayers. The occasion commemorates the final three hours of suffering and abuse Jesus endured on the cross before he died.
Often included in the sermons are the final seven sayings He uttered to those who witnessed the tragedy. The most quoted one is an example of His feelings for those who condemned him. "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do."
In Roman Catholic communities, there are also religious street processions from churches that pass through cities and towns. The participants, many in Biblical costumes, portray the scenes when Christ was forced to carry his cross through the streets of Jerusalem to the place of execution. For a church member to be chosen to enact the role of Christ and carry the heavy burden is a particular honor.
In Orthodox communities, on the evening of Good Friday, a flower-laden Epitaphios pall platform representing the body of Christ is carried in procession through the streets from the church. Church families follow with candles to illuminate the occasion.
Good Friday’s purpose is also to serve as a solemn beginning of the celebration of Easter, just two days later. That special Sunday marks the miraculous resurrection of Christ and reassures his followers of his immortality. The day is always a happy occasion, when Christian families dress in their finest for church services. For more than a century, New Yorkers have celebrated the special Sunday holiday after Good Friday by strolling down Fifth Avenue in their brightest Easter bonnets and other fashions.