Are you searching the internet trying to find out about Good Friday?
It is the date on which Christians remember the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross, which falls on different dates each year.
Here we will try to cover when is Good Friday this year? What will be dates for the upcoming years and what is the meaning and symbolism of the term?
When is Good Friday 2021?
Good Friday is always the Friday before Easter Sunday. In 2021, it falls on Friday, April 2.
When is Good Friday in upcoming years?
Below table includes all the dates on which it will be celebrated in the upcoming years.
| Year | Date |
| Year 2022 | April 15, 2022 |
| Year 2023 | April 7, 2023 |
| Year 2024 | March 29, 2024 |
| Year 2025 | April 18, 2025 |
| Year 2026 | April 3, 2026 |
| Year 2027 | March 26, 2027 |
| Year 2028 | April 14, 2028 |
| Year 2029 | March 30, 2029 |
| Year 2030 | April 19, 2030 |
When was Good Friday in the previous years?
Below table includes all the dates on which it was celebrated in the previous years.
| Year | Date |
| Year 2010 | April 2, 2010 |
| Year 2011 | April 22, 2011 |
| Year 2012 | April 6, 2012 |
| Year 2013 | March 29, 2013 |
| Year 2014 | April 18, 2014 |
| Year 2015 | April 3, 2015 |
| Year 2016 | March 25, 2016 |
| Year 2017 | April 14, 2017 |
| Year 2018 | March 30, 2018 |
| Year 2019 | April 19, 2019 |
| Year 2020 | April 10, 2020 |
What is the meaning of Good Friday?
It observes the execution and death of Jesus Christ. It is a day of sincere likeness for followers of many Christian values, including the following;
- Methodists
- Anglicans
- Catholics
- Lutherans
As the name suggests the date of the event changes every year however the day always remains the same i.e. Friday.
It is the day of prayers and fasting for many believers of Christianity.
Many believers of the Roman Catholic tradition, celebrate this day by praying the Places of the Cross and reciting other sacred prayers.
As per Catholic online on this serious day of the memorial following happens;
“The church bells are silent. Altars are left bare.”
“The solemn, muted atmosphere is preserved until the Easter Vigil.”
The Catholic Online
As per the official website of The Church of England, “the church remains stripped of all decoration,” this is done following the Anglican traditions.
An official religious ceremony is conducted by the church in the following manner;
“It continues bare and empty through the following day, which is a day without a liturgy”.
The Church of England
Other than this ceremony there are other occasions like the holidays of Christmas or Easter that have been completely secularized by people of the world.
However, this will continue to be the dark day of religious thinking for Christians.
Video – History
It has been prevalent for many centuries and will continue to be part of the worldwide network of followers for years to come.
Many christens remember the Lord Jesus Christ and also try to memorize his sufferings and pain that he has to go through his entire life on earth.
It is therefore remembered as the day of the sacrifice made by Jesus to compensate for mankind’s sins.
Pope Francis in his message for Lint 2020, to followers that by Christ’s sacrifice, they can replicate on their evils, find sympathy, relief and kindness.
As per different multilingual experts, the name is derived from the parent word “Good” which means “Holy”.
However, the modern use of the name means something positive which is not its actual origin.
As per various religious dictionaries and cultural dialects, various names have been given to the name like;
- Gottes Freitag in German
- God’s Friday as per the Catholic Encyclopedia
To this different linguist argue that their definition of holy is more precise and accurate and therefore the same should be followed by all the Christians worldwide.
Purpose and Symbolism
The last week of Lent that is also the end of the Holy Week, is the day on which it is celebrated worldwide.
The Last “Three Days” of the Holy Week are called “Triduum”. It is the day on which people remember Jesus’ trial, death and revival. The day before Good Friday is called the Maundy Thursday.
The Maundy Thursday or the evening of the Holy Thursday is the time when Triduum begins and it ends on the evening of the Easter Sunday.
It is a dreary day for amends and recalling Jesus’s sacrifice.
At the same time, the ultimate darkness of the day allows many believers worldwide to feel the joy and peace about Christ’s revival on Easter Sunday.
The Church of England outlines this dual purpose of the day in the following lines;
“There can be no adequate way of recalling the being dead of the Son of God, other than silence and desolation,” the Church says. “But within the silence there grows a sense of peace and completion, and then rising excitement as the Easter Vigil draws near.”
The Church of England
What is “Maundy” or “Holy Thursday?”
The Holy Thursday or the Maundy is the day before Good Friday & it honours the Last Supper of Christ with his Supporters.
The meaning and the origin of the word Maundy is believed to have come from a Latin word Mandatum.
Maundy –> Order or Commandment –> Mandatum
In the 21st century, different values focus on the practice of the foot-washing principles of Jesus.
By this, the followers of Jesus Christ teach the world the importance of love, peace and humility.
Queen Elizabeth the queen of England gives “Maundy Money” on Maundy Thursday as a symbol of charity for the poor and those who require money.
This practice of handling the Maundy Money dates way back to the 17th century by various British monarchs.
Conclusion
Jesus Christ who in Christianity is considered to be the son of God was crucified and died a human death. This day is marked by Good Friday every year.
As per the Christian faith, his death on the cross was the final act of forgiveness for humanity.
He is believed to have released humanity of all the sins and opened the holy gates of heaven.
This is interpreted in a way that without Jesus’ selflessness, an afterlife for the natural-born offenders of the earth would not happen.
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People Also Ask (FAQs)
What is Good Friday called Good?
The name is derived from the parent word “Good” which means “Holy” as per many linguists. He is believed to have released humanity of all the sins and opened the holy gates of heaven.
When is Good Friday 2021?
Good Friday is always the Friday before Easter Sunday. In 2021, it falls on Friday, April 2.
Is every Friday Good Friday?
No, not every Friday is Good Friday. The last week of Lent that is also the end of the Holy Week, is the day on which it is celebrated worldwide. It is celebrated only once every year.
What does Roman Catholics do on Good Friday?
Many believers of the Roman Catholic tradition, celebrate this day by praying the Places of the Cross and reciting other sacred prayers. It is the day of prayers and fasting for many believers of Christianity.