Good Friday 2023: Understanding the meaning, history & significance

The Friday before Easter is called the Good Friday which is the Christian day to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Calvary. Good Friday is observed each year during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum.

Good Friday is also known as Holy Friday, Great Friday and Black Friday. The date for Good Friday, which is widely considered as a legal holiday around the world, fluctuates from one year to the next in both the Gregorian and Julian calendars.

The Meaning
As per reports, the word Good Friday comes from the sense 'pious, holy' of the word 'good'. Until 1955, the Latin term that was used by the Catholic Church was 'Feria sexta in Parasceve (Friday of Preparation).


The term was shortened to Feria sexta in Passione Domini (Friday of the Passion of the Lord) in 1970 when the new rite was introduced.

In German-speaking countries, Good Friday is usually known as Karfreitag which means 'Mourning Friday'.

The History
The history of Good Friday goes back to the time when Jesus was arrested by royal soldiers and was then sentenced to death by crucifixion. As per the Bible, Jesus' crucifixion took place on Friday, the reason why it's called Good Friday.

The day is remembered and mourned by many Christians across the world as Jesus Christ suffered on the cross and died.

Apart from this, many Christians also indulge in services to others or carry out charities on Good Friday as the sacrifice of Jesus is considered as a selfless act of kindness and love for others.

Hours' Agony
The Three Hours' Devotion which is based on the seven last words from the cross begins at noon and ends at 3pm, the time that Christians consider as the time Jesus died on the cross.