Good Friday Traditions Around the World Essay

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March 29, 2024

A Global Journey on Good Friday

The world is awash with a tapestry of cultures, each with its unique customs and celebrations. Good Friday, a solemn day in the Christian calendar commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, is no exception to this vibrant diversity. This essay embarks on an exploratory journey into the varying traditions of Good Friday across the globe.

Before leaping into the multitude of customs, it's crucial to understand Good Friday's universal significance to Christians. Regarded as a day of grief and mourning, it precedes Easter Sunday, the joyous celebration of Christ's resurrection. The dichotomy between these two days encapsulates the Christian narrative of redemption through suffering. As such, Good Friday services are reflective and subdued in nature. However, the manner of observance varies startlingly around the world, and it is these differences that form the essence of this essay.

Philippines

In the Philippines, the commemoration of Good Friday takes a dramatic and pain-filled turn with the tradition of ‘self-crucifixion.’ Every year, hundreds of penitents, driven by their profound faith, voluntarily endure being nailed to a cross, replicating Christ's suffering and death. This intensely visceral approach to remembering Christ’s sacrifice, while perceived as extreme by other cultures, remains a steadfast tradition for a segment of Filipino society.

Bermuda

Good Friday in Bermuda takes on an entirely different, joyous hue, where making and flying kites is a cherished tradition. Each kite, a labor of love, is symbolic of Christ's ascension to heaven, and their colorful flight against the Easter sky is a testament to the nation's resilient faith.

Jerusalem

Jerusalem, the actual location of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection, offers a unique blend of solemn reverence and spiritual exhilaration during Good Friday. The main event is the Via Dolorosa (Way of Sorrows) procession led by Christian pilgrims. The faithful carry crosses, chanting hymns, and tracing the path Jesus took on the way to his crucifixion. The symbolic walk through the Old City's cobble-stone streets demonstrates an immersive and poignant approach to the worldwide tradition.

Italy and Spain

The 'Three Hours’ Agony' is a practice primarily witnessed in Roman Catholic churches, specifically ones in Italy and Spain. These are special services held on Good Friday from noon until 3 pm, the time frame during which Christ was believed to have suffered on the cross. This reflective period includes readings from the Gospel, followed by periods of silent contemplation and prayer.

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, the tradition of Hot Cross Buns holds a special place on Good Friday. These sweet, spiced buns adorned with a cross are baked and shared among loved ones, symbolizing the crucifixion of Christ while fostering a sense of communion and togetherness in the community.

Good Friday traditions vary widely, yet they all gravitate around the same profound narrative of sacrifice and redemption that forms the crux of the Christian faith. From visceral demonstrations of faith in the Philippines to joyous kite flying in Bermuda and solemn processions in Jerusalem, each tradition distills the local culture's essence while retaining the universal Christian message. Each Good Friday tradition is a testament to the strength of faith and the human capacity for expressing it in ways as diverse as humanity itself.

References

CNN Travel. (2017). Easter traditions: Bunnies, eggs, whippings, and crucifixion. Retrieved from https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/easter-traditions-around-the-world
Marcello, P. J. (2011). The Liturgical Year: Lent, the Sacred Paschal Triduum, Easter Time. Liturgy Documentary Series,2. Singapore: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
National Geographic. (2019). 5 grand Good Friday rituals. Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/5-grand-good-friday-rituals
The Telegraph. (2019). The origins of Easter: From pagan rituals to bunnies and chocolate eggs. Retrieved from https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/0/origins-easter-pagan-rituals-bunnies-chocolate-eggs