Why do we call it Good Friday? The old name of the traditional Easter holiday is explained
- The reason behind the traditional Easter holiday of Good Friday explained
- Good Friday is important in the Christian calendar and falls on April 7 this year
The long Easter weekend is just around the corner, starting with Good Friday on April 7.
This date is the first of two holidays to mark the Easter period, the second falling on Easter Monday, April 10.
Easter weekend gives many people in the UK the chance to take an extended break from work.
But why is it called Good Friday? Why is Good Friday celebrated? Is Good Friday a holiday?
Here’s everything you need to know about the traditional Easter holiday.
Christians believe that although Good Friday marks the day of Jesus’ crucifixion, it can be interpreted as “good” because it marked the beginning of his resurrection
Why is it called Good Friday?
Since Easter is a Christian holiday celebrating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the etymology of Good Friday stems from the religious use of the word “good,” which can be interpreted as “holy.”
Christians believe that although Good Friday marks the day of Jesus’ crucifixion, it can be interpreted as “good” because it marked the beginning of his resurrection.
According to Christian beliefs, Easter is a period to be celebrated in commemoration of Jesus’ choice to sacrifice his own life.
In 2023, Good Friday falls on Friday, April 7.
Why is Good Friday celebrated?
Good Friday is celebrated in the Christian faith to mark the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Calvary.
While it is sombrely celebrated by Christians – as it was the day of Jesus’ death – Good Friday gives way to Easter Sunday, a celebration of Jesus’ resurrection.
The Bible lists the time of Jesus’ death as 3:00 PM, when many Christians will attend a service to mark the occasion.
A penitent is depicted carrying a cross as part of the Easter celebrations in Zamora, Spain
Is Good Friday a holiday?
Good Friday, which falls on April 7 in 2023, is a public holiday in the UK.
This precedes a second holiday over the Easter weekend, which falls on Easter Monday (April 10).
These two holidays precede the early May Bank Holiday, which falls on May 1.
This year there is an extra holiday on Monday 8 May to commemorate the official coronation of King Charles III.