GOOD FRIDAY

Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ

and is a public holiday in the United Kingdom.

It falls just before Easter Sunday, which is the first Sunday

after the first full moon on or after the March equinox.

Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ following

his time in the desert and his triumphal re-entrance into Jerusalem.

This is a very important event in many Christian churches and is

seen by some as the foundation of the Religion.

Many churches hold special services on Good Friday to remind their

congregations about Christ's suffering. 

Good Friday falls on the Friday before the first Sunday after

the first full moon on or after the vernal equinox.

It can seem strange that a day of death and suffering is known as

'Good' Friday. There are a number of theories as to why the

day marking the crucifixion of Jesus is known in this way. 

The word 'Good' may be a different spelling or rendering of 'God' or

it may have another, now lost, meaning of 'holy'. Another theory

is that the tragedy of the crucifixion of Jesus brought great 'good' to his followers.

More recently, the Good Friday Agreement, or Belfast Agreement was

a major step in the political process to end the troubles and sectarian

violence in Northern Ireland. It was signed on Good Friday April 10, 1998

by the Governments of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland and

later endorsed by referendums in Both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.