What made it Good Friday….

It’s Good Friday and christians all over the world are currently focused on commemorating the suffering and death of our Lord Jesus Christ, which brought redemption to the world. It is a solemn feast dating back as early as the 3rd century by the earliest Christian communities, which was known initially as “The Day of the Lord’s Passion”. Even early texts like the Didache and writings of Church Fathers show that fasting on Friday was a weekly practice tied to the crucifixion.

Fast forward to the 4th century when Emperor Constantine the Great came into power and brought legalization of Christianity. In 313 AD when the Edict of Milan legalized Christianity, Christians were then allowed to openly observe sacred days. By the time of the Council of Nicaea, the Church began organizing the Christian calendar more systematically, including Easter and Good Friday.

Then, the middle age (5th–15th century) came and that introduced more emotional depth to the commemoration of the passion of Christ. We see stations of the cross and veneration of the cross being introduced, followed with public dramatization of the crucifixion. Although, the Protestant reformations in the 16th century, which was triggered by figures like Martin Luther later simplified Good Friday rituals. Somehow, this reform created different styles of observance with Catholics retaining the symbolic, heavy-ritual style while Protestants preferred scripture-focused and reflective style.

Today, Good Friday is a widely known redemptive and symbolic holiday for Christians to reflect on the sacrifice that was made on the cross. Despite commemorating a brutal execution, it’s called “good” because the crucifixion of Jesus led to salvation and redemption of mankind and this represents sacrifice, victory over sin.

May this season give you a reason to be more grateful.