Good Friday is primarily celebrated by Christians all around the world. It is commemorated as the day of the crucifixion of Jesus. The day is remembered as ‘Holy Friday’ or Viernes Santo in Spain. However, Germany recalls it as ‘Sorrowful Friday’ or Karfreitag. April 15 is the date of the Good Friday holiday in 2022.
Christians believe that Jesus had been crucified on this day, while Easter is observed as Jesus’s resurrection (3 days after he was crucified).
Christianity considers that Jesus’s execution took away the sins of the universe, and his sacrifice makes deceased people stay in heaven. The demise and crucifixion of Jesus represent his forgiveness and sacrifice for the misdeeds of humankind.
The most significant celebration happens in the Vatican City where the Pope recites the prayers (way of the cross) at the Colosseum, and thousands of people witness the ceremony. A vast cross covered with torches lights up the sky, and the followers carry candles.
Catholics fast during this day and sing prayers at churches. Jesus’s crucifixion on the cross took place in the afternoon. So, at this time, his believers honour the pain associated with his death. Several churches conduct Veneration of the Cross (a short ceremony wherein Christians bow down before Jesus to express faith).
In Trafalgar Square of London, a magnificent play of the crucifixion takes place. Thousands of people observe the ninety-minute play free of cost. Individuals fly kites in Bermuda to represent Jesus reaching heaven. Good Friday holiday in 2022 is expected to be celebrated in a similar manner.
Specific churches, mostly in Belgium and Mexico, use dark or black covers. In Jesus’s birthplace (Jerusalem), the followers organise a procession through the streets that led to his tragic death. Along the path, they carry crosses that are identical to what Jesus held. Ireland refrains from selling alcohol on this day.
In India, people visit churches to pray to the Almighty. It is a gazetted holiday for banks, stock markets, IT firms and government offices. According to the directives of the Bombay High Court, it is a public holiday in Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
You can spend your Good Friday holiday in 2022 in cities such as Vizag, Kochi, Aizawl, Mumbai and Goa. These destinations are well-known for their parades and programmes.
Good Friday is a sober day of the sacred week and is not marked with events and fairs. It is a day of honouring and remembering Jesus’s life. Often, Christians use black clothes to cover pictures, crosses and statues on this occasion. They sing prayers and hymns in churches and participate in Holy Communion.
Good Friday remembers Christ’s crucifixion, passion and death. The significant symbol for Good Friday is a crucifix, which illustrates Jesus’s way of dying. Some crosses carry a miniature of Christ. A black cloth used to wrap statues, paintings, and crosses is also a symbol of this occasion.
In the coming four years, people will be celebrating Good Friday on the following dates:
Goa is well-known for its Christianity culture and churches. Every church in Goa organises processions across the exotic beaches during Easter. Mumbai represents a modest celebration in which people gather in churches and pray to Christ.
The Anglo-Indian community of Vizag (also known as a port city) observes Jesus Christ’s rebirth. To get a remarkable glimpse of the Easter festival, one can visit Soldier Poet and Gnanapuram in Vizag. Kochi churches carry on services in the memory of Christ’s rebirth. Shops in the city offer goodies and bunnies, whereas hotels offer special meals.
Mizoram’s capital city, Aizawl, has a considerable Christian population, and the churches conduct special prayers to worship Christ.
Some remarkable celebrations of April 2022 will be Mahavir Jayanti, Ram Navami, Bengali New Year, Vishu, Shab e Qadr, Ambedkar Jayanti, Himachal Day, Tamil New Year, Sarhul Festival, Garia Puja, Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, Biju Festival and Odisha Day.
The Christian community will be observing Easter 2022 on Sunday, April 16. It denotes Jesus Christ’s rebirth and is celebrated during a full moon. Egg decoration is a special feature of the Easter festival. The occasion is symbolised by music, flowers, church bells and church services.
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