Good Friday commemorates the passion and death of Jesus Christ. It is called Good Friday because Jesus' death on this holy day had to happen in order for the celebration of Jesus' resurrection on Easter to happen. Good Friday is a solemn, holy day for Christians. Good Friday may be marked by attending Church services and by observing a fast. Many Christians break the Good Friday fast after a candle-lit Easter vigil which occurs on the Saturday evening after Good Friday.
The date of Good Friday varies from one year to the next on both the Gregorian (Western) and Julian (Eastern) calendars. Good Friday is also known as Holy Friday, and Great and Holy Friday.
Good Friday is the Friday preceding Easter Sunday. For Christians, Easter is the most joyful celebration of the church year. Christians all over the world honour the resurrection of Jesus from the dead on Easter Sunday. Western rite Christians observe Easter on the first Sunday after the first full moon that falls on or after March 21. Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate it on the first Sunday after both the Spring Equinox and Jewish Passover. Once every few years the days coincide.
We extend good wishes and a Happy Easter to all staff, students and members of the Christian community who will be celebrating Easter.