History of Good Friday
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Good Friday is considered to the bleakest day in the history of Christianity, and is the day Jesus Christ was crucified. Also known by a number of other names, like Holy Friday, Black Friday or Great Friday, this is an important day for Christians all over the world, when they remember the death and suffering of Christ.
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It is said that before He began preaching, Jesus fasted for 40 days while living in the desert, to enlighten his disciples on the need for fasting to fight evil. Good Friday is believed to be the day when that Christ’s 40 day fasting period or Lent, had ended. Christ then came back to Jerusalem and was heralded the King of the Jews. His popularity worried the rulers, and grand schemes were hatched against Christ. With Christ’s trusted aide Judas on their side, the rulers had Christ imprisoned and sentenced to crucifixion.
The Roman Catholic Church follows several age old traditions when it comes to celebrating Good Friday. It is considered a day of mourning, fasting and austerity. On this day candles are removed from the church altars, and Holy Communion, Liturgy of the Word and worshipping of the Cross are held on this particular day.
Many Christians believe that the word ‘Good’ in Good Friday stands for ‘God’, since Christ is believed to have died on this day for mankind and went to heaven. Today, Christians in every part of the world celebrate Good Friday as a festival that stands for everything good in life, and the sacrifice Christ made for his people on earth.
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