Issue of the day: Good Friday

IT is the day when Christians around the world commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. So why is it called Good Friday?

Good?

It may seem an unusual word to use for the observance of such a day, but rather than indicating joy, the “good” in Good Friday references the older meaning of the world, which was to be holy and pious. Its other uses in a similar vein include the likes of “the good book” for the Bible or “good tide” at Christmas.

Was Christ crucified on a Friday?

The day of the week was not mentioned in the Bible and there has been speculation it may have taken place earlier in the week, due to a Gospel reading from Matthew which says Christ would be dead for “three days and three nights”. As it is believed the resurrection took place on a Sunday, then this might mean the crucifixion took place on a Wednesday or Thursday.

It was not always observed?

The question of whether and when to mark the crucifixion was a controversial issue in early Christianity and until the fourth century, the Last Supper, death and resurrection were observed in one commemoration the evening before Easter. From then on, they were marked separately.

How is it marked?

Many denominations, including the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran and Anglican churches, observe Good Friday with fasting and church services, while countries around the world have their own traditions, ranging from flying kites to reenactments.

Kites?

In Bermuda, residents make and fly their own kites to symbolise the ascension of Christ to heaven, before indulging in a feast of cod fishcakes and hot cross buns. Good Friday parties are usually held, with kites flying over picnics islandwide and even “repair areas” set up in parks, with tissue paper, glue and tape to patch up any kite damage.

Re-enactments?

They take place around the world, including in the Mexico City borough of Iztapalapa, where 4,000 actors re-enact Christ’s walk to his death. One man then plays the role of Jesus and wearing a crown of thorns, he is flogged in the streets while carrying a 200lb cross.

Jerusalem?

Carrying wooden crosses and singing hymns, thousands of Christians take part in a procession through the Old City of Jerusalem, retracing the steps Christ is believed to have taken carrying his cross to his crucifixion.

And in the Philippines?

In Pampanga, between three and 12 men are physically nailed to a cross each Good Friday to recreate the crucifixion.

Why does the date change?

The date for Good Friday differs annually as Easter is determined by the moon – it falls on the first Sunday following the paschal full moon, which is the first full moon after the spring equinox, thought to have been determined by clerics in the middle ages.

This year?

The 2020 observance will be vastly different, with places of worship closed and most of us restricted to our own homes amid lockdown.