Showing posts with label Good Friday 2017. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Good Friday 2017. Show all posts

Saturday, April 15, 2017

Good Friday 2017: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know


Good Friday - Celebration of the Passion of the Lord 2017

Actor James Burke-Dunsmore carries the crucifix whilst playing Jesus during The Wintershalls The Passion of Jesus in front of crowds on Good Friday at Trafalgar Square on March 25, 2016 in London, England. (Chris Ratcliffe/Getty Images)

Today is Good Friday, where Christians the world over commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ at Calvary. It is also known as Holy Friday, Great Friday, or Black Friday and comes the Friday before Easter. The date of Easter is always the first Sunday after the full moon following a spring equinox. This year, Easter is on Sunday, april 16.

good friday comes after maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday. Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper Jesus had with his disciples where he washed their feet.

Both Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are held on our around the week-long Jewish festival of Passover.

In three out of the four canonical gospels, (Matthew, Mark and Luke), it is written that Jesus Last Supper occurred on the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, according to Mark 14:12. The Festival of Unleavened Bread is also known as Passover.

Passover is a week-long Jewish festival that commemorates the emancipation of the Israelites by G*d from slavery in ancient Egypt. The story of the Exodus is described in the Hebrew Bible, especially in the Book of Exodus. In the Book of Exodus, Moses leads the Israelites across the Red Sea and through the deserts to Mount Sinai, where G*d promises them the land of Canaan as thanks for their faithfulness.

There are many similarities between the stories of Moses and Jesus.

Learn more about the history and origins of Good Friday here!

1. It Has Pagan Origins

Arthur Uther Pendragon, a druid, waits for the sun to rise as he celebrates the Spring Equinox at Stonehenge on March 20 2009 near Amesbury, Wiltshire, England. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

Prior to Christianity, many ancient religions had myths and legends about the death and rebirth of gods and goddesses. Celebrations of these gods usually occurred in the springtime.

Hilaria was the ancient Roman religious festival celebrated on the March equinox to honor Cybele, the mother goddess, and her son/lover, Attis. Attis committed suicide by castrating himself right before his wedding to someone else. Cybele wanted to honor Attis life by ensuring that his corpse would never rot or decay. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, Attis was fundamentally a vegetation G*d, and in his self-mutilation, death, and resurrection he represents the fruits of the earth, which die in winter only to rise again in the spring.

Hilaria would later become associated with April Fools and is where we derive the word hilarious from.

Ancient gods and goddesses that took the forms of humans only to die and resurrect in the spring season include Baal, Melqart, Adonis, Tammuz, Dionysus, Ishtar, Persephone, and Bari.

The similarities dont stop there. Other gods or messiah-like saviors were crucified on a cross or tree before ascending into heaven. According to Kersey Graves, author of The Worlds Sixteen Crucified Saviors, these early Christs include familiar names like Krishna, Prometheus, and Quezalcoatl of Mexico.

The theory that Jesus was just a new name for an old story is called the Christ myth theory.

2. Its Unclear When Good Friday First Began to be Observed

Canadian filmmaker Simcha Jacobovici examines a burial niche inside the Talpiot tomb in Jerusalem, Israel in this undated handout photo from Vision TV. Jacobovicis documentary, The Lost Tomb Of Jesus, produced by Oscar-winner James Cameron, includes the controversial claim that 10 ossuaries discovered in the cave in 1980 may have held the bones of Jesus, his wife Mary Magdalene, and possibly a son. (Photo by Associated Producers LTD via Getty Images)

It is unclear when the first Good Friday was held but the earliest allusion to the custom of Holy Week, which starts on Palm Sunday and ends with Easter, comes from the Apostolic Constitutions in the latter half of the 3rd century and 4th century from Syria.

The author(s) of the Apostolic Constitutions is unknown, but the work claims to have been written by the Twelve Apostles. However, just like the gospels, it was common in ancient times to remain anonymous and attribute work to historical figures, writes Religion Online.

The first Christian Roman emperor Constantine is charged with setting the modern Easter date in June of 325 A.D. at the ancient city of Nicaea (modern Iznik, Turkey), writes the Oxford University Press. The problem was, the only thing everyone knew about the date of Jesus crucifixion was that it happened around the Jewish celebration of Passover. They write:

Since the date of Passover, then as now, is celebrated in accordance with the Jewish calendar, the correlation with the Julian calendar used by Christians and most other inhabitants of the Roman Empire was always inexact. Some Christians believed that the best way to solve the problem was to celebrate Easter on the first day of Passover according to the Jewish calendar, another group held that Easter should be celebrated on the first Sunday after the opening of Passover, while yet another group felt that the timing of the Christian festival should not be determined by the timing of Passover and should instead be celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the Vernal Equinox.

Easter is always the first Sunday after the full moon following a spring equinox, or vernal equinox.

This year Passover begins at sundown on Monday, April 10, and runs through Tuesday, April 18.

Jewish holidays begin at sundown because, according to the Bible, days begin at sundown. This is based on the story of creation from Genesis, where at the end of each day it reads, And there was evening, and there was morning after every day. Because the Torah defines a day as beginning with the evening, so do the Jewish people.

The observation of a new day beginning with the moon is also reflected in the Hebrew calendar, which is a lunar calendar. This is also the reason why the dates of Jewish holidays change every year. The lunar calendar reflects the cycles of the moon, and when it is compared to or tried to fit into a 12-cycle solar calendar (that most of the Western world uses), there are slightly more than twelve lunations (or moon phases) in a solar year.

3. Good Has Multiple Origins for Good Friday

Actor James Burke-Dunsmore stands on a crucifix whilst playing Jesus. (Chris Ratcliffe/Getty Images)

Just like the date of the original Good Friday, the etymology behind Good Friday is also contested.

Your Dictionary states that the Good of Good Friday comes from good, pious, holy (obsolete). However, others claim that is a corruption of G*d.

In other Germanic languages like German, Good Friday is translated to Mourning Friday or Silent Friday.

4. Jesus Was Crucified

(Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

There are two facts about Jesus that arent up for debate by historians: Jesus was baptized and crucified.

For the crucifixion, there are historical references that arent in the Bible. The Roman historian and senator Tacitus referred to Jesus, his sentencing to death by Pontius Pilate, and the existence of early Christians in Rome in one page of his final work, Annals (written ca. A.D. 116). The text reads:

[Roman Emperor] Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous superstition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judaea, the first source of the evil, but even in Rome, where all things hideous and shameful from every part of the world find their centre and become popular.

Pliny the Younger, the Roman governor of Bithynia et Pontus (now in Turkey), also wrote about Christians and referenced their leader. Around 112 A.D., Pliny wrote a letter to Emperor Trajan asking advice on how to deal with Christians. According to Be Thinking, Pliny wrote:

They were in the habit of meeting on a certain fixed day before it was light, when they sang in alternate verses a hymn to Christ, as to a G*d, and bound themselves by a solemn oath, not to any wicked deeds, but never to commit any fraud, theft or adultery, never to falsify their word, nor deny a trust when they should be called upon to deliver it up; after which it was their custom to separate, and then reassemble to partake of food but food of an ordinary and innocent kind.

Roman historian Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus also wrote about Jesus and early Christians, whom he still referred to as Jews in 41 to 54 A.D.

5. There Are at Least 2.2 Billion Christians

Iraqi Christians light candles inside a shrine in the grounds of Mazar Mar Eillia (Mar Elia) Catholic Church, that has now become home to hundreds of Iraqi Christians who were forced to flee their homes as the Islamic State advanced earlier this year, on December 12, 2014 in Erbil, Iraq. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

For at least 2.2 billion people, today is a day of solemn remembrance for the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. According to NPR in 2010, Christianity is the largest observed religion in the world with 31 percent of people adhering to it.

For this large population, today will be remembered in a variety of ways. Catholics will fast, Protestants will light the Tenebrae, and nearly all denominations will observe the Stations of the Cross.

Holy Week culminates with the observation of the resurrection of Jesus on Sunday.

Good Friday 2017: Bible Verses, Passages, & Readings

On this day Christians commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on Calvary. Find inspirational Bible quotes here for study on this holy time before Easter.

Click here to read moreGood Friday 2017: All the Memes You Need to See

Happy Good Friday! Today is the day that Christians commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus at Cavalry. Here are some the funniest memes and GIFs about this holiday.

Click here to read more

Source: http://heavy.com/news/2017/04/good-friday-history-origins/

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Good Friday 2017: What"s open, what"s closed


Good Friday - Celebration of the Passion of the Lord 2017

Christians around the world observe Good Friday on the Friday before Easter Sunday. This year, that"s today. Good Friday marks Jesus Christ"s passion, crucifixion and death, which is told in the Bible.

It is not a federal holiday, however many state and local offices are closed Friday.

Post offices: Because it is not a federal holiday, most post offices will be open and mail will be delivered.

Money and markets: The U.S. stock market is closed but many local banks remain open.

State and local municipal offices: The state of New Jersey recognizes Good Friday as a holiday.Warren County government offices are closed as are most government offices in New Jersey.

It is not a state holiday in Pennsylvania, however many local and municipal offices are also closed, includingNorthampton County and Lehigh County government centers. The cities of Easton, Bethlehem and Allentown also are closed. Many township and borough offices are closed, too.

Liquor stores: In Pennsylvania, the Liquor Control Board lists Easter Sunday as a holiday. hours on friday are unchanged. new Jersey liquor stores are privately owned.

Department of Motor Vehicles: In New Jersey, the Department of Motor Vehicles is closed, however the Pennsylvania DMV is open.

Kids on the prowl for Easter eggs

Transportation:Trans-Bridge will run a normal Friday schedule with two exceptions: the Wall Street and Jersey City runs will not operate. Saturday and Sunday runs are normal.LANTA bus and van services will not operate on Easter Sunday.

Libraries: Most public libraries are closed, including Memorial Library of Nazareth and Vicinity, Hellertown, Bethlehem Area Public Library, Easton Area Public Library (closed April 14 and April 15), Phillipsburg Free Public Library (closed Friday, Saturday and Monday), Warren County Library (all four branches), WH Walters Free Public Library and Hackettstown Library.

The Allentown Public Library, at 1210 Hamilton St., is open.

Email KJ at kjfrantz@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow lehighvalleylive.com on Twitter at @lehighvalley. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

Source: http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/news/index.ssf/2017/04/good_friday_2017_whats_open_wh.html

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Good Friday 2017: What"s open, what"s closed


Good Friday: The Meaning of the Cross

Christians around the world observe good friday on the Friday before Easter Sunday. This year, that"s today. Good Friday marks Jesus Christ"s passion, crucifixion and death, which is told in the Bible.

It is not a federal holiday, however many state and local offices are closed Friday.

Post offices: Because it is not a federal holiday, most post offices will be open and mail will be delivered.

Money and markets: The U.S. stock market is closed but many local banks remain open.

State and local municipal offices: The state of New Jersey recognizes Good Friday as a holiday.Warren County government offices are closed as are most government offices in New Jersey.

It is not a state holiday in Pennsylvania, however many local and municipal offices are also closed, includingNorthampton County and Lehigh County government centers. The cities of Easton, Bethlehem and Allentown also are closed. Many township and borough offices are closed, too.

Liquor stores: In Pennsylvania, the Liquor Control Board lists Easter Sunday as a holiday. Hours on Friday are unchanged. New Jersey liquor stores are privately owned.

Department of Motor Vehicles: In New Jersey, the Department of Motor Vehicles is closed, however the Pennsylvania DMV is open.

Kids on the prowl for Easter eggs

Transportation:Trans-Bridge will run a normal Friday schedule with two exceptions: the Wall Street and Jersey City runs will not operate. Saturday and Sunday runs are normal.LANTA bus and van services will not operate on Easter Sunday.

Libraries: Most public libraries are closed, including Memorial Library of Nazareth and Vicinity, Hellertown, Bethlehem Area Public Library, Easton Area Public Library (closed April 14 and April 15), Phillipsburg Free Public Library (closed Friday, Saturday and Monday), Warren County Library (all four branches), WH Walters Free Public Library and Hackettstown Library.

The Allentown Public Library, at 1210 Hamilton St., is open.

Email KJ at kjfrantz@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow lehighvalleylive.com on Twitter at @lehighvalley. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

Source: http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/news/index.ssf/2017/04/good_friday_2017_whats_open_wh.html

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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/

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Friday, April 14, 2017

Good Friday 2017: It"s Good Friday, but not a happy one! | The ...


EL SHADDAI April 14, 2017 Good Friday
Written by Anuradha Varma | New Delhi | Updated: April 14, 2017 1:57 pm Good Friday is usually spent in quiet contemplation and prayer, with the main ceremonies of Way of the Cross and Passion of Lord Jesus Christ held at 4 pm, the time of the original crucifixion. (Source: Thinkstock Images)

Its Good Friday and the important thing to remember is that good doesnt necessarily mean happy. Whether its Muharram or Good Friday, both traditionally days of mourning, Muslims and Christians are often at the receiving end of the wrong kind of wishes.

Last year, a host of ministers (not that we expect anything better from politicians currently!) wished the Christian community Happy Good Friday and the saving grace came with an appropriately worded tweet from the Prime Minister. Of course, this year, the community has bigger issues to deal with, as the governments collective amnesia led to designating the date as Digital India Day.

ALSO READ:Good Friday 2017: Why is Good Friday observed around the world?

To get back to the topic at hand, as one Catholic puts it, Its probably the Good part that leaves people confused. In most other languages, the prefix used is sacred or holy and in Hindi, its pavitra (pure), explains Reverend Dr Donald H R De Souza, Chancellor, Catholic Diocese of Lucknow. But, its a good Friday, since its the day Jesus Christ died on the cross for the salvation of humankind. The day is usually spent in quiet contemplation and prayer, with the main ceremonies of Way of the Cross and Passion of Lord Jesus Christ held at 4 pm, the time of the original crucifixion. So, how does one wish or show support to a friend from the community? Says Rev Donald DSouza, You can acknowledge the significance of the crucifixion or share good wishes for their prayers. Good Friday is followed by Holy Saturday, a day of silence, hope and expectation, leading to the Solemn Easter Vigil at night as one awaits Jesus Resurrection on Easter Sunday, a day of joy and celebration.

ALSO SEE PICS:Good Friday 2017: heres how christians around the world are observing the holy day

Good Friday is followed by Holy Saturday, a day of silence, hope and expectation. (Source: Thinkstock Images)

The situation is similar during Muharram, when people from the Islamic community are hard pressed to explain to people that its not a celebration. Maulana Wahiduddin Khan tells us that the word Muharram literally means forbidden. He explains, Muharram is one of the sacred months of the Islamic calendar. The month is sacred in the sense that during this violence and fighting are forbidden. On the ritual of self-flagellation associated with it, he explains, Only some, and not all, Muslims used to mark the day by self-flagellation. The meaning of this self-flagellation is to give a symbolic representation of the tragedy that happened with Husayn, the grandson of the Prophet, in 680 AD at Karbala in Iraq. The flagellation is not an Islamic injunction, and now it has been minimised to a great extent and is gradually coming to an end with people only lightly stroking themselves. In present times, this flagellation is performed in the symbolic sense, and not in the literal manner in which it used to happen earlier.

How can friends of Muslims wish them and help them commemorate the occasion? Maulana suggests, The greeting that Muslims friends can use is: Good Muharram! This is because Muharram is not only a tragedy, but also was martyrdom. Muslims and their friends can commemorate the event by reminding one another that Husayn made a great sacrifice in the seventh century, but now we are living in a different age and there is no need for making such sacrifice. The age of oppression is over. From this perspective, people can wish each other: Happy Muharram!

A young Muslim recalls marking the month of Muharram at his family home with acts of charity, hosting an open house that offers food to people of all faiths. We put up sharbat stalls, contribute to madarsas and people in the area know that anybody can walk in for a meal during this period, he says.

So, remember to hold your horses on Good Friday, since the joys of Easter will come around soon enough! And whatever our faiths, a little introspection never hurt anybody.

(The writer is an editorial consultant and co-founder of The Goodwill Project. She tweets @anuvee). Views expressed are personal.

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Source: http://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/art-and-culture/its-good-friday-but-not-a-happy-one-4612802/

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