April 18 — Good Friday, 2025: how to spend the fifth day of Holy Week

Holy Week Friday is a special day for Christians, filled with both mourning and sorrow, and at the same time with hope and expectation of a miracle. In 2025, Good Friday falls on April 18. Izvestia reveals the meaning of the date of the church calendar and its traditions.
Good Friday 2025: the essence, the meaning
Good Friday is the day of the martyrdom of Jesus Christ on the cross. The Messiah, betrayed by his disciple, appeared before the court of the Roman prefect Pontius Pilate. The Son of God was accused of blasphemy and an attempt on royal authority. Even Pilate himself was aware of the unfairness of the accusations, nevertheless, he pronounced an affirmative verdict — the death penalty by crucifixion. The same fate awaited the two robbers who were tried together with Christ. One of the condemned repented of what he had done, and Jesus absolved him of his sins. Thus, the robber saved his soul and went to heaven after his death.
Christ had to carry the cross on his shoulders through the streets of Jerusalem to Mount Golgotha, where the execution took place. But under the weight of the cross, the exhausted Savior fell, and Simon of Cyrene carried His cross part of the way. The Son of God was crucified and died to atone for the sins of mankind.
However, on the third day after his death, Jesus rose again, showing people a great miracle. Therefore, on Sunday, believers celebrate the brightest and most important holiday in Christianity — Easter.
Good Friday 2025: What you can do
Divine services dedicated to the crucifixion of Christ, his death and burial have been held in churches since morning. A shroud is taken out of the altar, an image of the Savior in the tomb, which is then carried around the temple with the singing of "Holy God" and placed in the center of the temple. She will stay there until Easter. Christians spend the whole day in prayer and mourning and thanking Christ for his sacrifice.
Good Friday is the strictest day of Holy Week. On this day, believers try to eat practically nothing. It is allowed only to drink water and satisfy hunger with bread, raw vegetables and fruits. Nevertheless, the meaning of fasting on this day is not in abstinence from food, but in cleansing the soul and body. Therefore, there may be health and medical benefits.
Good Friday 2025: What not to do
In addition to restrictions on food, intimate relationships, alcohol consumption, fun and festivities, and even personal holidays are strictly prohibited. In addition, on Good Friday it is better to postpone all household chores — even cleaning, which could not be completed on Maundy Thursday. Sewing, gardening, and garbage collection should not distract from the main thing on this day.
Earlier, Izvestia reported on the traditions and prohibitions of Maundy Thursday.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»