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GOOD FRIDAY

When is Good Friday in 2024?

Good Friday in 2024 is on the Friday, 29th of Mar (3/29/2024).

Good Friday is on the 89th day of 2024. There are 277 days left in the year.

Good Friday Facts

  • Date: Mar 29, 2024
  • National / Religious
  • Also Called: Holy Friday, Great Friday, Black Friday, Easter Friday
  • Celebrations: No traditional celebrations
Good Friday iImage Credit: flickr/victornuno

Good Friday is a Christian's holiday that commemorates Jesus Christ's crucifixion and death as narrated in the Holy Book, The Bible. The Good Friday holiday is celebrated in the Holy week, two days before Easter Sunday. In most cases, this day coincides with the Jewish Passover holiday. Other names used to refer to the Good Friday celebration include Black Friday, Great Friday, and Holy Friday. All Christians observe the holiday across the globe.

What Is The Good Friday History?

Good Friday accounts for the trial, torture, conviction, and the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Before this day of suffering, Jesus had been betrayed by Judas Iscariot on the day of Last Supper also called Holy Thursday. It is this betrayal that led to Christ's arrest at the Garden Of Gethsemane. The soldiers took Jesus to Caiaphas the High Priest and teachers of the law who convicted Jesus on blasphemy charges. Jesus was then forwarded to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, for execution. Upon learning the humiliation Jesus was going through, Judas was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins he had earned for betraying Christ. Judas then hanged himself early on Friday morning.

Jesus stood in front of Pontius Pilate and he did not deny any of the charges leveled against him. Pontius Pilate opted to get the crowd's approval on whether to crucify Jesus or release him. Surprisingly, the crowd asked their governor to crucify Christ and release one of the notorious criminals at the time called Barnabas. With no option, Pilate handed Jesus over for crucifixion.

The soldiers took Jesus to the Roman courtyard, stripped him, set a crown of thorns on his head and proceeded to abuse him physically. He was then forced to carry the cross to Golgotha where they crucified him. Immediately he passed away; unusual events took place. Darkness came over for three straight hours, there was an earthquake and the curtains at the temple in Jerusalem tore into two. Jesus was then buried later in the day by a man called Joseph of Arimathea, who wrapped him in a clean linen cloth and placed his body in a tomb.

Why Do We Call It Good Friday?

It's difficult to understand the goodness of the Good Friday following the suffering Christ went through. Some religious personnel suggests that the day is a corruption of God's day.' Others argue the day is good because it is holy. Most Christians, however, believe that by Christ's death on this Friday, Jesus saved them from sins. Therefore, despite the dark events that took place on that day, they see it as a blessing to them and hence a Good Friday. Christians find it ideal for taking part in Good Friday Fasting, as this shows their appreciation for Christ's sacrificial deed.

Why Do We Celebrate Good Friday?

The day marks Jesus' crucifixion and death at Calvary. Through his death, Christians believe that all their sins were forgiven. Indeed, it is Christ's sacrifice for the welfare of humanity that saved them from punishment from God the father. Christians, therefore, celebrate this selfless sacrifice on Good Friday.

Can You Eat Meat On Good Friday?

According to the Roman Catholic laws, all Christians who have reached puberty should not eat meat from land animals during Lent and on Good Friday. Meat is a worthy sacrifice because of its association with feasts and celebrations. Christians, however can comfortably eat fish on this day since it is not a land animal flesh.

Which Activities Are Prohibited On Good Friday?

Different countries observe Good Friday differently. Some activities are therefore considered illegal in some parts of The world. Until 2008, gambling shops were not supposed to open on Good Friday in Britain. In Ireland, bars shut down as the Irish people are supposed to abstain from alcoholic drinks on this day. In Germany, Christians should not go horse riding or dance on Good Friday and clubs that break this law are subject to fines.

Which date is Good Friday?

The date of Good Friday changes every year. However, the day is always observed on the sixth day of the Christians' Holy Week and two days before Easter Sunday. On this day, Christians take part in Good Friday prayers and reconcile with others.

Is Good Friday A Public Holiday?

In the United States of America, Good Friday is not a federal holiday. However, most Christians close their businesses to observe the day. Most banks, government offices, public schools, and financial markets are open on Good Friday but closed on Easter Sunday.

How to Celebrate Good Friday?

As a Christian, you can observe Good Friday by attending the Good Friday service held in churches on Friday afternoon from noon to 3 pm to coincide with the time of Christ's crucifixion. It is also worth sending an inspiring Good Friday Message to your friends and family members.

Good Friday Observances

DAY
DATE
HOLIDAY NAME
  • Fri
  • Apr 10, 2009
  • Fri
  • Mar 29, 2013
  • Fri
  • Apr 18, 2014
  • Fri
  • Apr 03, 2015
  • Fri
  • Mar 25, 2016

List of National and Regional Public Holidays of United States in 2023

DAYDATEHOLIDAY
SundaySunJan 01, 2023Jan 01New Year's Day
MondayMonJan 02, 2023Jan 02New Year's Day Holiday
MondayMonJan 16, 2023Jan 16M L King Day
MondayMonFeb 20, 2023Feb 20Presidents' Day
FridayFriApr 07, 2023Apr 07Good Friday
SundaySunApr 09, 2023Apr 09Easter Sunday
MondayMonMay 29, 2023May 29Memorial Day
MondayMonJun 19, 2023Jun 19Juneteenth
TuesdayTueJul 04, 2023Jul 04Independence Day
MondayMonSep 04, 2023Sep 04Labor Day
MondayMonOct 09, 2023Oct 09Columbus Day
SaturdaySatNov 11, 2023Nov 11Veterans Day
ThursdayThuNov 23, 2023Nov 23Thanksgiving Day
MondayMonDec 25, 2023Dec 25Christmas

List of Popular Celebration Days of United States in 2023

DAYDATEHOLIDAY
ThursdayThuJan 12, 2023Jan 12National Pharmacists Day
ThursdayThuJan 19, 2023Jan 19National Popcorn Day
WednesdayWedFeb 01, 2023Feb 01National Signing Day
ThursdayThuFeb 02, 2023Feb 02Groundhog Day
FridayFriFeb 03, 2023Feb 03National Wear Red Day
ThursdayThuFeb 09, 2023Feb 09National Pizza Day
MondayMonFeb 13, 2023Feb 13Galentine's Day
TuesdayTueFeb 14, 2023Feb 14Valentine's Day
WednesdayWedFeb 15, 2023Feb 15National Bagel Day
SaturdaySatFeb 18, 2023Feb 18National Drink Wine Day
TuesdayTueFeb 21, 2023Feb 21National Pancake Day
WednesdayWedFeb 22, 2023Feb 22National Margarita Day
FridayFriMar 03, 2023Mar 03National Employee Appreciation Day
TuesdayTueMar 07, 2023Mar 07National Cereal Day
SundaySunMar 12, 2023Mar 12Daylight savings
MondayMonMar 13, 2023Mar 13National Napping Day
TuesdayTueMar 14, 2023Mar 14National Walkout Day
TuesdayTueMar 14, 2023Mar 14National Pi Day
MondayMonMar 20, 2023Mar 20National Proposal Day
ThursdayThuMar 23, 2023Mar 23National Puppy Day
ThursdayThuMar 30, 2023Mar 30National Doctor Day
WednesdayWedApr 05, 2023Apr 05National Walking Day
ThursdayThuApr 06, 2023Apr 06National Burrito Day
FridayFriApr 07, 2023Apr 07National Beer Day
TuesdayTueApr 11, 2023Apr 11National Pet Day
WednesdayWedApr 12, 2023Apr 12National Grilled Cheese Day
ThursdayThuMay 04, 2023May 04National Day Of Prayer
SundaySunMay 14, 2023May 14Mother's Day
ThursdayThuMay 25, 2023May 25National Towel Day
ThursdayThuMay 25, 2023May 25National Wine Day
FridayFriJun 02, 2023Jun 02National Donut Day
ThursdayThuJun 08, 2023Jun 08National Best Friends Day
SundaySunJun 18, 2023Jun 18Father's Day
WednesdayWedJun 21, 2023Jun 21National Selfie Day
ThursdayThuJun 22, 2023Jun 22National Kissing Day
ThursdayThuJul 13, 2023Jul 13National French Fry Day
FridayFriJul 14, 2023Jul 14National Nude Day
SundaySunJul 16, 2023Jul 16National Ice Cream Day
WednesdayWedJul 19, 2023Jul 19National Hot Dog Day
SundaySunJul 23, 2023Jul 23Amazon Prime Day
MondayMonJul 24, 2023Jul 24National Tequila Day
SaturdaySatJul 29, 2023Jul 29National Chicken Wing Day
TuesdayTueAug 01, 2023Aug 01National Girlfriends Day
SundaySunAug 06, 2023Aug 06National Sister Day
MondayMonSep 18, 2023Sep 18National Cheeseburger Day
TuesdayTueOct 03, 2023Oct 03National Boyfriends Day
WednesdayWedOct 04, 2023Oct 04National Vodka Day
WednesdayWedOct 04, 2023Oct 04National Taco Day
MondayMonOct 09, 2023Oct 09Leif Erikson Day
SaturdaySatOct 21, 2023Oct 21Sweetest Day
SundaySunOct 29, 2023Oct 29National Cat Day
TuesdayTueOct 31, 2023Oct 31Halloween
FridayFriNov 03, 2023Nov 03National Sandwich Day
FridayFriNov 24, 2023Nov 24Black Friday
MondayMonNov 27, 2023Nov 27Cyber Monday
SaturdaySatDec 02, 2023Dec 02Candle Day
SaturdaySatDec 09, 2023Dec 09National Pastry Day
FridayFriDec 15, 2023Dec 15National Ugly Sweater day