Good Friday in 2025

Good Friday is mainly observed by Christians around the world as a day of mourning to remember the crucifixion of Jesus.

In Germany, it is called Karfreitag, which means "Sorrowful Friday" in German. In Spain, it is known as Viernes Santo, meaning "Holy or Sacred Friday." In 2025, Good Friday will be observed on April 18.

What is Good Friday?

Good Friday is a Christian festival to remember the crucifixion of Jesus. It is a serious and quiet day for Christians to reflect and mourn. Good Friday happens during Holy Week, on the Friday before Easter Sunday.

The History Behind Good Friday

Good Friday is the day Christians remember the crucifixion of Jesus. Many Christians believe that Jesus was crucified on this day. Three days later, Jesus rose from the dead, and this is celebrated as Easter.

Christians believe that when Jesus died, he took the sins of the world with him. Because of his sacrifice, people can be forgiven and go to heaven after they die. His crucifixion shows his love, sacrifice, and forgiveness for everyone’s sins.

How Good Friday is Celebrated

Good Friday is remembered in many special ways around the world.

In Vatican City, the biggest gathering happens. People come to see the Pope lead the Way of the Cross outside the Colosseum. A large cross with burning torches lights up the sky, and believers hold candles during the ceremony.

Catholics mark the day by fasting and praying in churches. Services are held in the afternoon, the time when Jesus was crucified. Christians honour Jesus by remembering his pain and sacrifices for all people. Some churches have a ritual called Veneration of the Cross, where people kneel before the cross to show their faith.

In London, a special passion play is performed in Trafalgar Square on Good Friday. This play shows the crucifixion of Jesus and lasts 90 minutes. Thousands of people watch it, and it is free for everyone. In Bermuda, people fly kites that represent Jesus's journey to heaven.

In some churches in Mexico and Belgium, the buildings are covered in black or dark colours. In Jerusalem, Christians walk the same path Jesus took on the way to his crucifixion, sometimes carrying a heavy cross like he did. In Ireland, it is illegal to sell alcohol on Good Friday.

In India, Christians visit churches to honour Jesus. Good Friday is a national holiday for government offices, IT companies, banks, and stock markets. It is also a public holiday in places like Daman and Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. Parades and Christian programmes are common in some areas.

Good Friday is a quiet and serious day during Holy Week. It is not celebrated with festivals or big events. Instead, Christians gather to remember and honour Jesus’s sacrifice.

Festivities of Good Friday

• Statues, crosses, and pictures are covered with black cloth.
• People go to church to pray.
• Every Christian joins in the Holy Communion.
• People sing hymns and say prayers.

Related Festivals with Good Friday

Holy Week is celebrated in the week before Easter and each day of the week is observed as Holy Day. The days of this week are named as:

• Palm Sunday
• Holy Monday
• Holy Tuesday
• Spy Wednesday
• Maundy Thursday
• Good Friday
• Holy Saturday
• Easter Sunday

Here are some of the significant days of the Holy Week:

Maundy Thursday:

• Maundy Thursday is also called Holy Thursday.
• It is observed on the fifth day of the week.
• It remembers the Last Supper with Jesus and his Apostles and the washing of their feet.
• People follow a tradition of visiting 14 churches on the evening of Maundy Thursday.

Good Friday:

• Good Friday is the day Jesus was crucified.
• It is observed on the sixth day of the week.
• It is part of the Paschal Triduum.
• It is also called Holy Friday, Black Friday, or Great Friday.
• This day is a public holiday in many countries around the world.

Holy Saturday:

• Holy Saturday is the last day of Holy Week.
• It is also called Hallelujah Saturday or Great Sabbath.
• This day is a time for mourning Jesus’s death.
• It comes between Good Friday and Easter.
• People begin preparing for Easter on Holy Saturday.

Easter Sunday:

• Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus.
• It is also called Resurrection Sunday or Pascha.
• People believe that Jesus rose from the dead on Easter Sunday after his death and burial.
• Traditional Practices on Good Friday

The following are some of the traditional practices followed on Good Friday:

• People fast on the day of Good Friday
• People offer prayers in churches
• People mourn on the crucifixion of Jesus
• Good Friday and the following Saturday, the Holy Saturday, is also observed as the day of mourning
• The day Jesus resurrected is celebrated as celebrated as Easter Sunday
• Great Three hours of agony is observed from noon till 3 pm on Maundy Thursday

Symbols of Good Friday

Good Friday is a day to remember the death, suffering, and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The main symbol of Good Friday is the cross, which shows how Jesus died. Some crosses have a figure of Jesus on them. Other symbols include black cloth used to cover crosses, pictures, and statues in churches. Some people also make their churches and homes simple by removing all flowers.

Public Life on Good Friday

On Good Friday, post offices, banks, and most government offices are usually closed for the holiday. Christian businesses, schools, and groups may also be closed or have shorter hours. If you plan to use public transport, it’s a good idea to check with your local transportation agency to confirm the schedule.

In places with many Christians, big parades and prayer gatherings can cause traffic problems.