Good Friday

Good Friday in the United States is a Christian holiday observed on the Friday before Easter Sunday. It commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary, as described in the New Testament of the Bible. For many Christians, it is a solemn day of reflection, prayer, and fasting, marking the sacrifice Jesus made for humanity's sins. In the U.S., Good Friday is not a federal holiday, so government offices, schools, and most businesses typically remain open. However, many Christian denominations, including Catholics, Protestants, and Orthodox Christians, hold special church services that often include readings of the Passion of Christ, veneration of the cross, and hymns of mourning. Some communities also reenact the Stations of the Cross or participate in processions. Traditions vary across regions and denominations, but common practices include abstaining from meat, attending church services, and observing moments of silence at 3:00 PM, the time believed to be when Jesus died. While not as widely celebrated as Easter, Good Friday remains an important day of spiritual significance for millions of Americans.