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Good Friday May 3, 2024

Feast Day: May 3, 2024

⛪ Good Friday (Megali Paraskevi/Μεγαλη Παρασκευη) is a religious holiday observed by the Greek Orthodox church, honoring the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. The holiday is observed during Holy Week on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday, coinciding with the Jewish observance of Passover.

According to accounts in the Gospels, Jesus was arrested on Thursday (during the Jewish festival of Passover) in the Garden of Gethsemane with the help of Judas Iscariot, a disciple of Jesus. Judas received 30 pieces of silver for betraying Jesus and told the guards that whomever he kisses is the one they are to arrest.

Jesus was first tried and found guilty by the Sanhedrin, a Jewish judicial body for violating the Sabbath, threatening to destroy Solomon's temple, claims of being the Messiah, etc. He was then tried before Pontius Pilate for blasphemous claims of being the King of the Jews. On Friday, he was crucified on a cross along with two criminals.

Image: The icon depicts Jesus surrounded by his followers.


Video: The Holy Friday Lamentations 1st Stasis

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