Orthodox Good Friday, also known as Great Friday or Holy Friday, is one of the most solemn days in the Eastern Orthodox Church, commemorating the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. It is part of the final days of Holy Week, leading up to Orthodox Easter.

Table of Contents

1. When is Orthodox Good Friday?
2. The History of Orthodox Good Friday
3. What Do People Do on Good Friday?
4. What is Christianity?

When is Orthodox Good Friday?

Orthodox Good Friday falls on the Friday before Orthodox Easter Sunday, as part of Holy Week in the Eastern Orthodox Christian calendar. Since Orthodox Easter is a movable feast, its date varies each year based on the Julian calendar and the timing of the Paschal full moon.

The following is the list of Orthodox Good Friday from 2020 to 2049.

The History of Orthodox Good Friday

The history and observances of Orthodox Good Friday are deeply rooted in early Christian traditions and theological developments.

The events of Good Friday are detailed in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Jesus is arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane after Judas's betrayal, and he is scourged, mocked, and forced to carry His cross to Golgotha, where He is crucified between two thieves. Jesus dies on the cross after uttering His final words, "It is finished." Good Friday marks the moment when Jesus willingly gave His life to atone for the sins of humanity.

Good Friday emphasizes Christ's love and humility in suffering for the salvation of humankind. From the earliest days of Christianity, followers of Christ observed the events of the Passion with fasting, prayer, and mourning. By the 4th century, Good Friday was established as a distinct day within Holy Week, dedicated to commemorating the crucifixion. The Eastern Orthodox Church developed unique liturgical practices to reflect the sorrow of Good Friday while pointing to the hope of the resurrection.

Good Friday is observed with strict fasting, where many abstain from all food and drink until evening. The day is marked by prayer and attending church services to reflect on Christ's sacrifice.

What Do People Do on Good Friday?

Orthodox Good Friday is a day of mourning, reflection, and prayer, marked by religious services, fasting, and quiet observances.

Churches hold special services to reflect on Christ's suffering and death: scripture readings recounting the Passion narrative from the Gospels, worshippers approach a cross to pray or touch it as a sign of reverence, and a devotional practice where participants meditate on the 14 events leading to Jesus's crucifixion.

Many Christians observe a strict fast, consuming only one full meal or simple foods, such as bread and water. This fasting is a sign of penance and solidarity with Christ's suffering.

Families may spend the day in silence or reduced activity, focusing on prayer and scripture, and some families may set up home altars with a cross, candles, and icons to create a space for prayer and meditation.

In many countries, Good Friday is marked by solemn processions through streets, often accompanied by hymns, prayers, and reenactments, and it is a day for helping others, reflecting Christ's teachings of compassion and service.

What is Christianity?

Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion, professing that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead and is the Son of God, whose coming as the Messiah was prophesied in the Hebrew Bible and chronicled in the New Testament. It is the world's largest and most widespread religion with over 2.38 billion followers, comprising around 31.2% of the world population. Its adherents, known as Christians, are estimated to make up a majority of the population in 157 countries and territories.

Christianity shares its origins with Judaism and Islam, tracing its spiritual lineage to Abraham, a key figure in the Hebrew Bible. Central to Christianity is the belief that Jesus Christ was crucified, died, and rose from the dead, offering salvation and eternal life to all who believe in Him. Christians regard Jesus as the divine Son of God, emphasizing His dual nature as both fully human and fully divine.

While united in belief in Jesus Christ, Christians are divided into major branches like Catholicism, Protestantism, and Eastern Orthodoxy, each with unique traditions, practices, and theological emphases. Christianity has deeply influenced global history, including laws, ethics, art, literature, and social norms, often promoting values of compassion, charity, and justice.