Good Friday

Good Friday in Jersey is a significant religious observance that commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. It is observed on the Friday before Easter Sunday and is part of the Holy Week, which also includes Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday. In Jersey, which is the largest of the Channel Islands and a British Crown dependency, Good Friday is a public holiday, allowing residents to attend church services and spend time in reflection and prayer. Traditionally, Good Friday is a day of solemnity and mourning, with many Christian denominations holding special services that often include the reading of the Passion narrative, veneration of the cross, and hymns that reflect on the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus. In Jersey, as in many other places with Christian traditions, it is common for churches to hold processions or reenactments of the Stations of the Cross. The day is also marked by various customs and practices. Some people may fast or abstain from meat as a form of penance. In the past, it was customary to eat fish instead of meat on Good Friday, and this tradition continues in some households. Hot cross buns, a spiced sweet bun marked with a cross on the top, are traditionally eaten on this day, symbolizing the crucifixion. Good Friday is a time for quiet reflection and is generally not associated with the festive celebrations that characterize Easter Sunday. In Jersey, as in many other places, the somber nature of the day is respected, with many businesses closed and a slower pace of life as people focus on the religious significance of the day. It is a time for families to come together, attend church services, and prepare for the joyous celebrations of Easter, which marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ.