There are few
explanations as to why the holiday is known as "Good" Friday
since it commemorates a sorrowful time in Christianity. Some
scholars believe that "good" is a corruption of the word "God's"
while others speculate that "good" was used to denote "holy". In
Eastern Orthodox churches, the observance is known as Great
Friday.
Since the early church Good Friday has been observed by fasting
and penance. However, for many years it had no association with
Jesus' death but was simply another day of fasting. Since the
late fourth century, it has been associated with the
crucifixion. Many churches now have mourning services from noon
until 3:00 p.m. to symbolize Jesus' last hours on the cross.
Some congregations also re-enact Jesus' procession to the cross
in a ritual known as Stations of the Cross.
In the
Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Anglican traditions, the celebration of
the Eucharist is suspended; liturgical service involves veneration of
the cross, the Passion narrative from the Gospel of St. John, and
communion using bread and wine consecrated the previous day, Maundy
Thursday. Other forms of observance include prayer and meditation at the
Stations of the Cross, a succession of 14 images, usually on wooden
crosses, depicting Christ's crucifixion and the events leading up to it.
