For practicing Christians, especially Catholics, Orthodox, and some Protestants, Good Friday is the most solemn day of the year. It’s not a party—it’s the day they commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus. You won’t hear “Hallelujah” in church; you’ll hear silence or mournful hymns. Some folks even fast or eat only one full meal (no, that jumbo latte doesn’t count, sorry).
In many churches, they do something called Veneration of the Cross. Picture this: people line up to kiss a wooden cross or bow before it. It sounds a bit medieval, but trust me, it’s deeply moving for them. Others participate in Stations of the Cross, a slow walk through 14 scenes of Jesus’ final day. It’s like a sorrowful, prayerful scavenger hunt.
I once attended a Good Friday service, and I kid you not, the priest left the sanctuary in total darkness. The only light came from a single candle. Everyone shuffled out in complete silence. It was haunting—but also kind of beautiful, you know? (Side note: bring tissues if you go; it’s dusty in there.)
But Wait—Who Actually Gets the Day Off?
Here’s the thing: Good Friday is a public holiday in countries like the UK, Canada, Australia, and Germany. But in the US? It’s not a federal holiday. So while some people are at church, others are staring at their laptops wondering why their inbox is so quiet. Irony alert: the stock market is closed, but your boss might still expect that spreadsheet.
If you live in a place where it’s a holiday, you might get a four-day weekend (hello, Easter Monday!). That means you’re free to… well, do whatever your tradition says—or ignore it completely. No judgment here.
What Do People Do on Good Friday? 7 Meaningful Traditions
