Good Friday

Good Friday marks the crucifixion and death of Jesus or Christ and is also known as "day of crucifixion". It is the Friday before Easter or Pascha. This is the day which is mostly obeserved by Christians but now even other faiths have started observing this day along with Christians in many countries. There is a custom of holding special prayer services with readings from Gospel which brings forth the events leading up to crucifixion.The crucifixion of Jesus is viewed by many Christian Churches as a voluntary and vicarious act. It is being seen as the conquering of death by many Christians. There are number of instances when the word God is replaced by Good as the case in the word goodbye which actually means God be with you. Similarly it is likely that the good Friday is derived from the word God's Friday.

This day is known by different names in various countries. In Israel, Good Friday is called "Big Friday". In German, it is called "Karfreitag", also known as "Mourning Friday". Why the Mourning Friday?? Because Germans feel that all is lost on this day. In many Christian Churches this day is celebrated because there is general feeling that the death is conquered on this day. This day is also known by different names in different countries like Holy Friday, Great Friday, High Friday, Passion Friday, Long Friday. In Russia it is knwon by Passion Friday. In many countries, this day is observed as a public holiday.