9 Things you probably didn’t know about Good Friday

Today is Good Friday, a sacred day in the Christian calendar. It is observed worldwide with quiet reflection and reverence.

But how much do we really know about it? Here are nine interesting facts about Good Friday.

1. It wasn’t always called “Good” Friday.
The term “Good Friday” can be confusing. It likely evolved from “God’s Friday” or “Holy Friday.” In German, it’s still called “Karfreitag,” meaning “Sorrowful Friday.” The word "good" reflects the belief that Jesus’ sacrifice brought salvation.

2. It’s not a public holiday everywhere.
Countries like Ghana, the UK, and Australia observe Good Friday as a holiday. However, the United States does not have it as a national day off. Some states recognize it locally, while many secular countries treat it like any other day.

3. The date changes every year.
Good Friday does not have a fixed date. It falls on the Friday before Easter Sunday, following the lunar calendar. This means it can be as early as March 20 or as late as April 23.

4. There’s a strange silence in churches.
Good Friday services are often quiet and somber. Many churches do not ring bells or play music on this day. Altars are left bare to reflect grief, and Mass is not celebrated in Catholic tradition.

5. Some countries ban dancing and drinking.
In Germany and Switzerland, laws restrict public dancing and loud music on Good Friday. Alcohol sales are also limited to preserve the solemnity of the day. Breaking these laws can result in fines.

6. It inspired famous art and music.
Many artists and composers have drawn inspiration from Good Friday over centuries. Michelangelo's paintings and Bach's St. Matthew Passion explore themes of suffering and redemption.

7. The crucifixion wasn’t necessarily on a Friday.
Some biblical scholars suggest Jesus may not have been crucified on a Friday at all. They point to Gospel timelines indicating Wednesday or Thursday instead.

8. Pilgrims walk the “Via Dolorosa” every year.
In Jerusalem, thousands of Christians retrace Jesus’ final footsteps along the Via Dolorosa, or "Way of Sorrows." This route ends at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, believed to be where he was crucified.

9. Good Friday once triggered a solar eclipse.
Historians note that a solar eclipse occurred around Jesus’ crucifixion time—referenced in the Bible too! Luke 23:45 states, "The sun stopped shining." Some scientists date this partial eclipse to 33 AD, adding weight to biblical accounts.