Good Friday

[Xeno.of.athens]

The term "Good Friday" might seem paradoxical, given that it commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ—a sombre and sorrowful event. However, the word "good" in this context means "holy" or "pious." It signifies the profound spiritual significance of the day, as it marks the culmination of Jesus' sacrifice for humanity's sins, according to Christian belief.

 

[The Liturgist]

The term "Good Friday" might seem paradoxical, given that it commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ—a sombre and sorrowful event. However, the word "good" in this context means "holy" or "pious." It signifies the profound spiritual significance of the day, as it marks the culmination of Jesus' sacrifice for humanity's sins, according to Christian belief.

We call it Great and Holy Friday.

 

[fhansen]

Maybe we should call it Great and Good and Holy Friday ! Or not. Anyway, a happy and blessed Holy Saturday (or whatever you may call it) to all.

 

[The Liturgist]

Maybe we should call it Great and Good and Holy Friday ! Or not. Anyway, a happy and blessed Holy Saturday (or whatever you may call it) to all.

I’ve variously seen it called among the Orthodox Holy Saturday and also Great and Holy Saturday (since some refer to every day in Holy Week as Great and Holy, which works for me), and of course it was historically called, and is referred to still be some Anglicans, as Easter Even. The Copts call today Bright Saturday, but for the Eastern Orthodox Bright Saturday refers to next Saturday, the Saturday before Antipascha (also known as St. Thomas Sunday or in the West, as Low Sunday, I like to joke perhaps because of the low church attendance typical on the Sunday following Easter, but in the East Antipascha is still a big deal because it is on that day the Scripture of the interaction of St. Thomas with our Lord is read, as in the West, but that’s particularly important in terms of confirmation of the event. Also in both East and West, red vestments occasionally appear on Antipascha, except among some Slavonic churches where they are de rigeur throughout the Pentecostarion (Eastertide).

Everything said in this post about the Eastern Orthodox also applies to the Byzantine Rite Catholics.