Good Friday- The pain of Holy VirginGood Friday, the Friday of Holy Week
in the calendar of the Christian churches, is set apart to commemorate the crucifixion
of Jesus. The earliest name for this day, “Pascha,” refers
to the Jewish Passover celebrated at this time. In the beginning the day’s
observances grew out of this Jewish Passover custom of keeping “the days
of unleavened bread” from the fourteenth to the twenty-first Nisan. Other
names were: “Day of the Lord’s Passion,” Day of the Absolution,”
and “Day of the Cross.” The name “Good Friday” is a peculiarly
English expression. It reflects the joy of completed redemption and protests
against superstitious notions that all Fridays are “unlucky” and that
this particular Friday must be shrouded in funeral gloom. Although, it is more
probably derived from a corruption of “God’s Friday.” It was
called “Long Friday” by the Saxons and Danes, apparently in allusion
to the long services held on that day in the churches. In medieval days, notably
in Spain, the churches were closed on this day as a sign of mourning. 
Good Friday Worship Services reflect the character of solemn,
restrained praise. The church services held today, on Good Friday, differ but
slightly from each other. In all, are read or chanted the Scriptures relating
to the Passion of Christ, most using the Gospel of John chapters 18:1 through
19:42. Many have Tre Ore Services that last for three hours, from 12:00 Noon
to 3:00 pm. The Tre Ore Services are usually composed of a Good Friday Litany,
the reading of the Passion according to St. John, sermons on the Passion or
the Seven Last Words of Jesus on the Cross, and the Bidding Prayer. The germ
of the Bidding Prayer may be found in the worship of the Jewish synagogue, where
prayers were offered for members of the Jewish community and their needs. The
early Christians expanded the idea. Justin Martyr in the second century speaks
of such a prayer as the "Deacon’s Litany " or the "Prayer
of the Faithful." The text of today's Bidding Prayer probably dates from
the time of Leo the Great in the fifth century. Kindly Regards
Georgios
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