Good Friday

I notice there seems to be an error in the date provided (July 28, 2025), as Good Friday is always observed on the Friday before Easter Sunday in the spring. For 2025, Good Friday will fall on April 18.

Good Friday stands as one of the most solemn observances in the Christian calendar, commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ at Calvary. This day marks the culmination of the Passion of Christ, which began with his entry into Jerusalem and ended with his crucifixion.

The historical roots of Good Friday observances in America trace back to the colonial period, particularly in areas with strong Anglican, Catholic, and Protestant traditions. While the exact etymology of "Good" Friday remains debated, many scholars believe it developed from an older English usage of "good" meaning "holy" or "sacred."

In the United States, Good Friday is not a federal holiday, though it is a state holiday in some states like Connecticut, Delaware, and New Jersey. Many Christian Americans attend church services during the "Three Hours' Agony" from noon to 3 PM, marking the hours Jesus hung on the cross. Services often include the Stations of the Cross, special prayers, and the veneration of the cross.

Modern observances vary widely across American society. While some businesses and schools close, many remain open. Urban areas often host processions and passion plays, with some communities, particularly in Hispanic neighborhoods, staging elaborate reenactments of the crucifixion. Many Christians observe fasting or abstain from meat on this day.

The observance contrasts notably with other countries. In the Philippines, for example, some devotees participate in actual crucifixions, while in much of Latin America, the day is marked with large-scale processions and complete business closures. European countries like Germany and the UK treat Good Friday as a national holiday with stricter observances.

Interestingly, the day has historically influenced American culture beyond religious observance. Many traditional hot cross buns, now associated with the holiday, trace their American popularity to colonial New England. Some communities maintain centuries-old customs, like the New York City Easter Parade, which originated as a Good Friday procession in the 1800s.

In contemporary America, Good Friday reflects the nation's religious diversity. While maintaining deep significance for Christians, it has also become a marker of spring's arrival and, for some, simply part of a longer Easter weekend. However, its core meaning as a day of solemn remembrance remains strong among practicing Christians of various denominations.