GOOD FRIDAY: HOLY FRIDAY

In 2011 Good Friday is on 22 April. It is a UK public holiday

What is Good Friday?

On Good Friday, Christians remember the day when Jesus was crucified on a cross.
When is Good Friday?
Good Friday is the Friday before Easter Sunday (Easter Day).
The date of Good Friday changes every year.

What was the date for first Good Friday?

The date of the first Good Friday will never be known.


Why is it called Good Friday?
The name may be derived from 'God's Friday' in the same way that good-bye is derived from 'God be with ye'.
It is 'good' because the barrier of sin was broken.


What happened on Good Friday?

Jesus was arrested and was tried, in a mock trial. He was handed over to the Roman soldiers to be beaten and flogged with whips. A crown of long, sharp thorns was thrust upon his head. Jesus was forced to carry his own cross outside the city to Skull Hill. He was so weak after the beating that a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, was pulled from the crowd and forced to carry Jesus' cross the rest of the way. Jesus was nailed to the cross. Two other criminals were crucified with him, their crosses were on either side of him. A sign above Jesus read "The King of the Jews."

Traditional Food
It is traditional to eat warm 'hot cross buns' on Good Friday. Hot Cross Buns with their combination of spicy, sweet and fruity flavours have long been an Easter tradition.

Why do we eat Hot Cross Buns ?

The pastry cross on top of the buns symbolises and reminds Christians of the cross that Jesus was killed on.