Known as Great Friday, Holy Friday or Good Friday, the day is marked on Friday before Easter to commemorate the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ and symbolizes the Jesus’ victory over sin, death, and the devil.
Jesus Christ’s life and teachings are the foundations of Christianity. Thus, the day holds utmost importance for the Christian community around the globe.
Devoting the day to the Jesus, Christians fast, meditate and offer prayers in the churches.
Many countries, including India, observe this occasion as a national holiday and organize Good Friday processions or re-enactments of the Crucifixion.
While the rest of the world calls it Holy Friday or Good Friday, most Latin nations call it ‘Great Friday’, Germany calls it “Friday of Mourning” and Norway describes it as “Long Friday”.
Here is how the day is marked in different countries:
Bermuda: Bermuda celebrates Good Friday by flying kites. According to the locals, these flying kites symbolize Christ’s ascension to heaven.
Australia: Here the day is celebrated as the day to stay at home and enjoy the holiday.
Rome: Rome and Vatican City mark the day with a ceremony of the Way of the Cross. It commemorates 14 key events denoting Christ’s final walk through the streets of Jerusalem, carrying the Cross. The procession is held at the Colosseum, where the Pope goes through the different stations.
Jerusalem: Here devotees follow the Via Dolorosa walk, which culminates at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where the crucifixion took place. Dolorosa walk is believed to be the actual walk that Christ took as he carried his Cross.
Philippines: Here it is the time when people prefer to go for pilgrimages. On the day performances narrating the Way of the Cross as well as plays representing the Passion of Christ are organized.
United Kingdom: The United Kingdom marks the day with Hot cross buns. Filled with dried fruits, the cross on the top of these buns represents Christ.
