Summary
- Good Friday is not observed on a fixed date; it can fall from March 20 to April 23 each year.
- In Central America, South America, and Asia, Good Friday has some distinct cultural traditions.
- Every year, Easter can occur between March 22 and April 25.
- Easter is a Christian holiday that commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
Good Friday and Easter are two of the most significant religious days in the Christian calendar. They are observed all around the world with different religious and cultural customs. Let’s explore why and how people in different cultures observe these days.
What is Good Friday?
Christians commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ annually on Good Friday. It is observed two days before Easter, a day when Jesus Christ was resurrected.
It is a sombre occasion during which people remember the anguish and pain that Jesus Christ had to go through. Some people also do fasting on Good Friday.
Good Friday is not observed on a fixed date; it can fall from March 20 to April 23 each year.
Early records show the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ caused several controversies, as it was difficult to ascertain when to observe these days. Until the 4th century, Jesus Christ’s Last Supper, crucifixion, and resurrection were all observed in one day before Easter.
What is the Religious and Cultural Significance of Good Friday?
Unlike Christmas and Easter, which have acquired more secular traits over time, Good Friday has kept its more religious connotation in the Christian calendar.
For centuries, Good Friday has remained the core essence of Christianity as it is because of the death of Jesus Christ that Christians believe their sins have been forgiven.
However, Good Friday has been observed in different ways in the eastern and western countries.
Church services are held in many countries in which people read hymns and remember the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. In some countries, the Three Hours’ Devotion service is also held from noon to 3pm to commemorate those three hours when Jesus Christ was on the cross.
Roman Catholic churches do not hold mass on Good Friday, though they perform some other religious services. In Rome, where the Vatican City is located, the pope leads a procession from the Colosseum to the Palatine Hill.
In Central America, South America and Asia, Good Friday has some distinct cultural traditions. People participate in large processions during which re-enactments of the Passion of Christ are also carried out.
What is Easter?
Easter is a Christian holiday that commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Easter is one of the most significant days in the Christian calendar, and it is widely celebrated all around the world.
Easter falls three days after Good Friday, a day that commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter fulfils the old prophecy about the Messiah’s persecution and the death of our sins.
Unlike Good Friday, Easter has many secular traditions, such as the Easter Bunny, egg decorating, and gift baskets filled with chocolates, candy, and other such things.
Just like Christmas and Halloween, Easter also has its roots in pre-Christian ancient pagan cultures and traditions. The history of the Easter Bunny goes back to the 13th century in Germany.
Germanic tribes, known as the Teutons, used to worship several gods and goddesses, and one of them was Eostra. This goddess was venerated as the goddess of fertility and spring. The word Easter and many of its traditions were derived from this goddess of renewal and rebirth.
The Easter Bunny is also associated with Eostra because rabbits are associated with prolific breeding, thus making them the symbol of fertility. All of these ancient traditions were woven into Christian traditions partly because it was easy to propagate the message of Christianity to those who followed pagan culture and traditions.
How is Easter Celebrated in Canada?
Easter is widely celebrated in Canada, just like other Western countries. Christians attend church services on this and visit their family members.
According to Easter traditions, people also take food, chocolates, and Easter eggs to their family and friends. People also especially cook lamb, as it is associated with Jesus Christ, who is also called the ‘Lamb of God’.
Some old English traditions, such as hot cross buns, also have a direct association with Easter in Canada. Similarly, some Greek customs, like spiced buns, are also popular in the country.
Conclusion
The religious and cultural significance of Good Friday and Easter is evident in different parts of the world. Both these days play a meaningful role for over a billion Christians who observe these two important religious days.
We hope that the spirit of sacrifice and devotion continues to bless you all. Edison College wishes you a peaceful Good Friday and Easter.
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