Good Friday

Good Friday in United Kingdom, in the years 2018, 2019 and 2020.





United Kingdom 2018 2019 2020
Good Friday 30th March 19th April 10th April


Good Friday

Good Friday is a religious holiday. It falls the friday before Easter and commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ at the Calvary. According with the gospels, the Crucifixion of Jesus was the Friday before the Jewish Sabbath, in the AD 33. Today, it is believed that it fell the 3rd of April AD 33, which was, indeed, a Friday.
Nowadays, Good Friday is a legal or bank holiday in several countries of the Christendom, such as United Kingdom.

Good Friday in Christendom

For the Christendom, the Good Friday is the second day of the Paschal Triduum, the three-day period before the evening of the Resurrection Sunday. The Easter Triduum recalls the passion, the death, and the resurrection of Christ. In particular, the Good Friday is the day which recalls the passion and crucifixion of Jesus. According with local traditions, several celebrations are held all over the countries: the Eucharist is not celebrated on Good Friday, instead, a crucifix is ceremonially unveiled on the church. Usually, people venerate this crucifix by kissing his feets. The liturgy honours the last hours of the life of Jesus, according with the gospels, and it consists of three parts: the Liturgy of the Word, the Veneration of the Cross, and Holy Communion.

Stations of the Cross

The Stations of the Cross are prayed during the afternoon of the Good Friday, usually outside of the church. During these prayers, people recall the passion and agony of Christ. That's why the "Stations of the Cross" are also know as "Three Hours' Agony". The Three Hours' Agony should be held from noon to three o'clock. In Rome, the cerimony is held by the Pope, or through a representative, outside the Colosseum in the middle of the city.

Good Friday in United Kingdom

In United Kingdom, the Good Friday is a bank holiday, therefore all schools are closed and so several shops and stores, even if not all of them. As it happens for the other bank holidays, if Good Friday falls on a weekend, the next working day becomes an holiday as substitute day.