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April 18, 2025

On April 18, 2025, millions of Christians unite in solemn reverence to honor Good Friday, a sacred day commemorating the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ at Calvary. This holy moment, etched in sorrow and love, glorifies the Savior’s ultimate sacrifice, through which He bore the sins of humanity. From hushed churches adorned with black-draped crosses to heartfelt prayers in homes worldwide, Good Friday draws believers into deep worship, reflecting on Christ’s boundless love and the radiant hope of His resurrection. Why is this day of suffering called “Good”? Its sacred roots reveal a triumph of divine grace that forever glorifies God.

A Sacrifice of Divine Love

Good Friday, the pinnacle of Holy Week, recalls the sacred hours of Jesus’s passion as told in the Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Betrayed by Judas Iscariot and condemned by Pontius Pilate, Jesus endured flogging, a crown of thorns, and the agony of carrying His cross to Golgotha. There, crucified under a darkened sky, He died around 3 PM, offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice to atone for humanity’s sins. This act of selfless love fulfills Old Testament prophecies and stands as the cornerstone of Christian salvation, a testament to God’s mercy. The term “Good,” from Old English meaning “holy,” reflects the day’s divine sanctity. On April 18, 2025, aligned with the Paschal full moon, Christians across Western and Eastern traditions join in worship, exalting Jesus’s obedience to the Father’s will. Churches dim, bells fall silent, and altars stand bare, inviting believers to adore the Lamb of God through fasting, prayer, and acts of charity.

Rituals of Worship and Adoration

Good Friday’s observances magnify the glory of Christ’s sacrifice. In the United States, where the day is a state holiday in places like Connecticut and Indiana, believers gather for the Service of the Great Three Hours’ Agony from noon to 3 PM, meditating on the cross’s redemptive power. Catholics fast, taking one full meal and two smaller ones, abstaining from meat as an offering to God. Families bake hot cross buns, their crosses symbolizing Jesus’s triumph, while others embrace silence, turning from worldly distractions to praise Him. In Kentucky, the day is marked with reverence; in Hawaii, public life adjusts to honor the occasion.

Globally, the faithful glorify Jesus through profound acts of devotion. In Jerusalem, pilgrims walk the Via Dolorosa, carrying crosses to retrace Christ’s steps, their hearts lifted in gratitude for His sacrifice. In London, thousands gather in Trafalgar Square for a passion play, proclaiming the Savior’s love. In Bermuda, kites soar heavenward, symbolizing Christ’s ascension, while Mexican churches, cloaked in black, echo His suffering. These rituals—fasting, processions, and almsgiving—are acts of worship, drawing believers closer to God’s heart, honoring the One who gave all for their redemption.

A Call to Glorify God

Good Friday 2025 is a divine invitation to exalt Jesus in a world craving hope. The day’s call to penance and charity reflects His command to love one another, urging believers to mirror His selflessness. In America, where division often overshadows unity, Good Friday’s message shines: through Christ’s sacrifice, God offers forgiveness and renewal. Legal debates in states like Indiana over the day’s recognition affirm its sacred place, as courts uphold its observance, allowing communities to pause and glorify the Savior.

The Glory of the Cross

Why “Good”? This paradox sings of God’s victory. Jesus’s death, a prelude to the glory of Easter’s resurrection, opened the gates of salvation, revealing the depth of divine love. For believers, Good Friday transforms sorrow into worship, as they behold the cross—not as defeat, but as the throne of Christ’s triumph. Families fasting, communities praying, and hearts turning to God all proclaim the Savior’s glory, embracing His call to live for others.

A Day to Exalt the Savior

Good Friday 2025 is a living hymn to Jesus Christ, the Lamb who was slain. From Maryland to Manila, believers kneel before the cross, their prayers rising like incense to glorify God. The black-draped crosses, the silent churches, the hope of Sunday’s dawn—they proclaim the majesty of a Savior whose love conquers all. In every heart that turns to Him, Good Friday asks: how will you glorify the One who gave everything?