Why is it called Good Friday and what"s so good about it?

Good Friday: The Meaning of the Cross

Christians believe Jesus was mocked publicly and crucified on a solemn Friday two thousand years ago. Today, the calamitous day is celebrated as Good Friday.

But whats so good about that?

One answer is that at the time of Jesus crucifixion,good may have referred toholy in Old English, a linguistic theory supported by many language experts.

According toSlate, the Oxford English Dictionary notes the Wednesday before Easter was once calledGood Wednesday. Today, its more commonly known as Holy Wednesday.

And Anatoly Liberman, a University of Minnesota professor who studies the origins of English words,told Slate if we consider the alternative names for Good Friday, such asSacred Friday (romance languages) orPassion Friday (Russian), this theory makes a lot of sense.

Another possible reason for its moniker a theory supported by both linguists and historical evidence refers to the holidays ties to Easter Sunday, which celebrates the resurrection of Christ.

Because Jesuscouldnt have been resurrected without dying, the day of his death is, in a sense,good.

That terrible Friday has been called good fridaybecause it led to the Resurrection of Jesus and his victory over death and sin and the celebration of Easter, the very pinnacle of Christian celebrations,the Huffington Post reported.

A third answer, some believe, is thatthe good in Good Friday was derived from"G*d orGods Friday the way the termgoodbye comes from a contraction of the phraseGod Be With You.

Still, not everyone refers to this day as Good Friday. For example,

The Catholic Encyclopedia mentions that, in the Greek Church, the holiday is known as "the Holy and Great Friday." In German, it"s referred to as "Sorrowful Friday."

And as aforementioned,Sacred Friday andPassion Friday are also used.

In addition, because the holiday is also commemorated with a long fast, Good Friday was also referred to asLong Friday by the Anglo-Saxons.

Source: http://www.ajc.com/lifestyles/holiday/why-called-good-friday-and-what-good-about/IbL2ESnudYKRWV6UhxtiyK/