Good Friday

Good Friday, known as **Veliki Petak** in Serbia, is a solemn and significant religious holiday observed by the Serbian Orthodox Church. It commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary, marking a day of deep reflection, prayer, and fasting for Orthodox Christians. Falling during Holy Week, Good Friday is part of the Paschal (Easter) cycle and is observed according to the Julian calendar, which often differs from the Gregorian calendar used by Western Christian denominations. In Serbia, Good Friday is a day of strict fasting, with believers abstaining from meat, dairy, and other animal products. Many attend church services, which include the reading of the Twelve Gospels, recounting the events leading up to Christ's crucifixion. A central tradition is the veneration of the **Epitaphios** (a cloth embroidered with the image of Christ's body), which is carried in a symbolic funeral procession around the church. The atmosphere is one of mourning and reverence, with families gathering for quiet reflection and prayer. Homes are often adorned with candles, and red eggs, symbolizing Christ's blood and resurrection, are prepared in anticipation of Easter Sunday. Good Friday sets the tone for the joyous celebration of Christ's resurrection on Easter, making it a cornerstone of Serbian Orthodox faith and culture.