GOOD FRIDAY
Good Friday is a primarily christian religious holiday observing the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. It is also known as Holy Friday, Great Friday, Black Friday, or (incorrectly) Easter Friday (friday of the next week is the proper Easter Friday). Good Friday is the friday of Holy Week, part of the Paschal Triduum. It is a moveable holiday. It is always the Friday preceding Easter, or the friday before the first Sunday after the first Full Moon after March 21st. Good Friday is observed as a day of prayer and fasting.
GOOD FRIDAY OBSERVATIONS AND CELEBRATIONS
Good Friday is a public holiday in Australia, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, the Caribbean, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Malta, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, the Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, the United Kingdom (England and Wales), United States (11 states), and Venezuela. In Bermuda, Good Friday is observed by flying Easter kites, symbolizing the ascention of Jesus into heaven. In Bulgaria, Good Friday is called Razpeti Petuk (Crucifixion Friday) In Canada, banks and government offices and public sector businesses (except Quebec) are closed In Cuba, Good friday was observed as a public holiday for the first time in 2012 by personal request from Pope Benedict XVI to Castro. In Hong Kong and Macau, all businesses and government offices are closed for a public holiday. In India, Good Friday is a Central Government as well as a State Government holiday. In Indonesia, Good Friday is a national holiday and all government offices, schools and some businesses and newspapers are closed by law. In Ireland, Banks and public institutions are closed on this day and Alcohol is not sold, but it is not an official bank holiday . In Malaysia, Good Friday is observed in the states of Sabah and Sarawak. In Germany, Theatre performances and events which include public dancing are illegal on Good Friday. In Malta, celebrations take place in all churches and processions in many different villages. In The Philippines, the day is commemorated with street processions, Some engage in self-flagellation or even engage in a form of crucifiction as an expressions of penance. In South Africa, government offices, schools and certain businesses are closed on Good Friday by law. In the United States, Good Friday is a public hoiliday in Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Guam, U.S. Virgin Island, and Puerto Rico. In the Methodist Church, Good Friday is observed with a service of worship usually based on the Seven Last Words from the Cross. In the Moravian Church, Good Friday is celebrated with a Love feast to strengthen harmony, goodwill, congeniality, and to forgive past disputes and instead love one another.