Orthodox Good Friday in Australia

Orthodox Good Friday, also known as Great Friday or Holy Friday, is observed by the Eastern Orthodox Christian community in Australia. It falls on the Friday before Easter Sunday and is part of Holy Week. This day commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ.

History and Traditions:

The traditions of Orthodox Good Friday have been carried over from the Eastern Orthodox Church's historical practices, with roots tracing back to early Christianity. The day is marked by solemnity, fasting, and reflection on the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus.

On this day, the faithful often attend church services where they participate in various liturgical observances. These services typically include:

• Reading of the Twelve Gospels: Churches hold a service in which twelve passages from the Gospels relating to the passion, death, and burial of Jesus are read aloud.
• Procession with the Epitaphios: A cloth icon representing Christ's body (the Epitaphios) is processed within or around the church.
• Veneration of the Crucifix: Parishioners approach and venerate a representation of Christ on the cross.

What People Do:

In Australia, Orthodox Christians may take time off work to observe Good Friday with due reverence. They engage in acts such as:

• Attending church services: Many spend much of the day at church participating in scheduled services.
• Fasting: A strict fast is often observed on this day; many abstain from meat, dairy products, and sometimes olive oil or wine.
• Reflection: Personal prayer and meditation on Christ's passion are common practices.
• Community gatherings: Families and church communities may gather together after services for fellowship while maintaining a somber mood reflective of the day's significance.

Orthodox Good Friday dates differ from those observed by Western Christian churches due to differences in calculating Easter based on the Julian calendar instead of the Gregorian calendar used by Western churches.