Everything You Need to Know About Good Friday 2025 Including its Significance and the Reasons Why Christians Celebrate it

From Crucifixion to Redemption: Why Good Friday Remains a Powerful Day of Reflection and Faith

On Good Friday we remember Jesus’ death at Calvary, the place where he was crucified just outside Jerusalem’s walls. It occurs on April 18 2025 the Friday before Easter. Many people of the Catholic Eastern Orthodox and Lutheran faiths fast and attend church services on Good Friday which is observed as a holy day by the majority of Christian denominations. However this holiday encompasses much more than these religious customs. For many people Good Friday is a very intimate day of prayer and devotion.

When is Good Friday?

Good Friday commemorates the day that Jesus was crucified and died and it is observed every year on the Friday before Easter. It takes place on April 18, 2025 this year.

Background of Good Friday

Christians celebrate Good Friday as a religious holiday honoring the crucifixion of Jesus Christ at Calvary. Held on the Friday before Easter Sunday during Holy Week the holiday is regarded as a component of the Paschal Triduum. Holy Friday Black Friday and Great Friday are other popular names for the day. Good Friday is observed as a national holiday in many countries across the world particularly in the Anglican and Catholic countries. Traditionally people observe this solemn day by fasting and then participating in solemn processions. 

Although its precise beginnings are unknown, Good Friday has been observed since the fourth century. It’s not new to fast and set self-imposed restrictions in remembrance of Jesus’ death. There are a few theories as to why the holiday is known as Good Friday but it is also unknown. While some people think that God’s Friday changed to Good Friday religious believers are adamant that the day was given the name good as a warning to evildoers about Jesus and everything he stood for. It’s also commonly accepted that Jesus died on a Friday but this doesn’t explain why the word good was added to the holiday.

For the sake of his followers and all people Jesus gave his life. The greatest sacrifice he made was his death. Despite being a horrible day in history Jesus’ resurrection two days later made it possible for humanity to be saved.

Timeline of Good Friday

• 4 B.C. Birth of Jesus

Most historians concur that Jesus was born in Bethlehem sometime between 6 B. C. as well as 4 B.C. 

• 27 A.D. The Transfiguration of Jesus

After going to a high mountain to pray, Jesus’ face lights up and then a white light spreads throughout his body. 

• 29 A.D. John Baptizes Jesus

It is not long after John the Baptist’s baptism that Jesus starts his own ministry. 

• 33 A.D. Crucifixion

Before he dies Jesus spends six hours hanging between two thieves. 

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How do Christians Celebrate Good Friday and Why?

Since the beginning of Christianity Christians have observed Good Friday as a day of fasting penance and mourning according to Britannica. Others argue that the name comes from the fact that it is a religious holiday while others think it reflects the day’s sacred significance. 

Good Friday falls within the Paschal Triduum which is a three-day period that starts with Maundy Thursday (the Last Supper of Jesus Christ) culminates with the Easter Vigil and ends with evening prayer on Easter Sunday.

Fasting, almsgiving and church attendance are how Christians commemorate Good Friday. During this time people pray for their lives to be free of pain, suffering and agony. Today’s main event is the Service of the Great Three Hours Agony which takes place from noon to 3 o’clock in the afternoon as the Bible states. It commemorates the hours of darkness that engulfed the region during the crucifixion of Jesus. 

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Significance of Good Friday

• It’s a Sacred Day

Jesus was crucified with two other criminals after being made to carry his own cross to Calvary. He might have been alive for six hours while hanging on the cross. between noon and three P. M. as per biblical custom. M. The sky grew dark that day.

• Jesus’ Sacrifice is Recalled 

According to Christian belief Jesus was born to Mary a virgin. After becoming a preacher and working miracles as an adult he was executed by the government. Christians sins could now be forgiven or pardoned because of this sacrifice. 

• The Real Jesus

Jesus was a historical person according to almost all ancient scholars. Almost every competent scholar of antiquity Christian or non-Christian agrees that Jesus certainly existed, writes New Testament expert Bart Ehrman.