The surprising linguistic origin of the name Good Friday
We often assume Good Friday refers to the goodness of the event's outcome. However, the name actually stems from an obsolete definition of 'good' meaning pious or holy. Exploring its history reveals a day once known as Long Friday, defined by its grueling length of devotion.
While many believe the name Good Friday refers to the Christian belief that Jesus's death was a beneficial sacrifice for humanity, the etymology is more nuanced. The term 'good' is derived from an older, secondary meaning of the word: 'pious' or 'holy' [S1:p4]. This same linguistic root can be found in older expressions like 'the good book' for the Bible or 'good tide' for Christmas [S1:p4].
Before this nomenclature took hold, the day had a different identity in Old English. It was known as 'Long Friday' (langa frigedæg), a name that reflected the exhausting nature of the day's religious observances, which included extended periods of fasting and lengthy services [S1:p5]. This tradition of a 'long' day of devotion persists in some Scandinavian and Finnish languages today [S1:p5].
The day itself commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus at Calvary, or Golgotha [S1:p1]. In many traditions, the solemnity is marked by specific rituals, such as the Service of the Great Three Hours' Agony, held from noon until 3 p.m. to mirror the biblical account of darkness covering the land during the crucifixion [S1:p2]. In some regions, the day is so somber that it is legally recognized as a holiday where certain activities, such as public dancing or horse racing, are prohibited [S1:p3].
The liturgical observances vary significantly across denominations. For example, Byzantine Christians refer to the day as 'Great and Holy Friday' [S1:p15]. During this time, clergy may switch from purple or red vestments to black [S1:p15]. In some traditions, the day is observed as an absolute fast, where adult believers abstain from all food and drink for the entire day to the extent their health allows [S1:p17].
Source: Good Friday
