The most important church holiday on April 18 is Good Friday: how to spend this day, signs

On Good Friday, the Church commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. This is the culmination of Holy Week, filled with deep spiritual meaning. In 2025, it falls on April 18. Read about the traditions, prohibitions and folk signs of this day in the Izvestia article.

What you need on Good Friday, April 18: how to spend the day

The crucifixion of Christ is one of the most important events in the Christian history of salvation. After his arrest following Judas' betrayal, Jesus was first taken to the high priest Anna, then to Caiaphas, where he was humiliated and ridiculed. He was accused of blasphemy, after which he was taken to the Roman procurator Pontius Pilate.

The latter, finding no grounds for accusation, wanted to release Jesus, offering, according to custom, to release one prisoner sentenced to death in honor of the celebration of Passover (the Jewish Passover). However, the people, incited by the high priests, preferred to release the thief and murderer Barabbas, and Christ was sentenced to crucifixion.

Before his execution, Jesus was beaten, put on a crown of thorns and a scarlet robe (red cape), and then taken to Golgotha— a place of worship outside the walls of Jerusalem. There, between two robbers, He was nailed to a cross. This method of execution was considered shameful and was applied only to the most fallen criminals.

The people and religious leaders watched the execution. Many scoffed: "Save Yourself," "Come down from the cross." However, one of the robbers crucified nearby turned to Jesus with repentance, and he promised him the Kingdom of Heaven: "Today you will be with Me in paradise."

On the cross, Christ uttered several last words, including: "I'm thirsty," after which the soldiers offered Him a sponge with vinegar, and then: "It's done," completing the redemptive feat. Bowing His head, He died.

The crucifixion became the Savior's greatest spiritual feat, a voluntary sacrifice for the sins of the world. It was at this moment, according to the Christian faith, that the act of redemption of mankind was performed.

During the morning hours of Good Friday, a special service is held in Orthodox churches — the Royal Hours. It includes the reading of three passages from the Gospel, which again reproduce the narrative of the sufferings of Jesus Christ on the cross. Prophetic texts from the Old Testament are also heard, including the book of the prophet Isaiah, who predicted the suffering of the Messiah five centuries before his coming.

Holy Week in 2025: how to fast and behave

On April 14, Orthodox Christians begin six days of the strictest fasting.

During matins, the so—called Twelve Gospels are read, texts that describe in detail the last hours of Christ's earthly life. Since, according to the church's rules, the day of worship begins in the evening, Good Friday Matins are celebrated on Maundy Thursday evening.

In the evening, Vespers is celebrated in churches, the central moment of which is the removal of the Shroud, a canvas depicting the body of Christ, symbolizing the transition from the earthly to the eternal, the connection between man and God. During the service, the Apostle and the composite Gospel are read, a text combining fragments from all four canonical Gospels. Psalms dedicated to the Virgin's sorrow are being sung.

The evening service ends with a procession with the Shroud around the temple. Upon returning to the church, the faithful venerate the shrine, bowing to the ground in front of it as a sign of gratitude and sorrow. At this time, the stichera sounds — a special kind of church chant that emphasizes the spiritual depth of the moment.

Believers are advised to spend Good Friday in silence and prayer, avoiding fuss and idleness. It is customary to come to the temple, worship the Shroud, reflect on the sacrifice of Christ and the meaning of one's own life.

The day requires concentration, repentance, and renunciation of worldly entertainment. Even in everyday actions, the church calls for maintaining spiritual concentration and avoiding strong emotions, both negative and positive.

It is not recommended to have noisy parties, have fun, play weddings, get married. Quarrels, conflicts, and aggressive behavior are also prohibited. Every Good Friday activity should be imbued with respect for the suffering and death of the Savior.

What you can and can't eat on Good Friday before Easter

Good Friday is the strictest fast in the Orthodox tradition. It symbolizes not just a restriction in food, but a deep spiritual act, a time when body and spirit unite in common prayer concentration.

In monasteries where fasting is observed in the strictest form, food is not served on this day at all, with the exception of individual indulgences for the infirm and elderly. By tradition, only a little bread and water are allowed, and then only after sunset.

Holy Week in 2025: dates, a biblical description of each day

Holy Week this year will begin on April 14th.

It is an ingrained custom among the laity not to eat until the evening service is over (as a rule, this happens around 16:00), and if they have the strength and with the blessing of their confessor, until Easter itself.

After the end of Great Vespers, dry eating is allowed, a light lenten meal without butter, with extreme moderation, consisting of bread, water or raw food (vegetables, fruits, nuts, dried fruits). Drinking water in the morning is not prohibited, but it is about water. Other drinks are completely excluded.

Is it possible to work on Good Friday

Church tradition advises to limit hard work on this day as much as possible, especially physical work, if possible. It is believed that any activity that distracts from prayer and inner silence is contrary to the spirit of Good Friday.

However, when it comes to helping others or fulfilling professional duties that cannot be avoided, the Church urges us to maintain inner concentration and remember the meaning of this day even in the process of fulfilling them.

Is it possible to clean on Good Friday

Household chores and especially cleaning on this day are undesirable. All preparatory work related to Easter should be completed by Friday. Cleaning symbolizes worldly fuss, which hinders inner concentration.

The exceptions are basic hygiene or caring for the sick and children. Otherwise, the day should be spent calmly and thoughtfully, not immersed in mundane pursuits.

Is it possible to go to the cemetery before Easter

Church regulations do not encourage visits to cemeteries on Good Friday. On this day, the main focus should be on the events related to the sufferings and death on the cross of Christ.

Commemoration of the deceased is postponed until Radonitsa, the first Tuesday after Easter, when believers gather in cemeteries to share Easter joy with their departed loved ones.

Can I cut my hair on Good Friday

In the Christian tradition, any cosmetic procedures on the day of Jesus' suffering are considered inappropriate. This applies to haircuts, manicures, massages, and other similar activities.

They symbolize caring for the outside, for the body, whereas Good Friday requires concentration on the inner, spiritual world. An exception can only be made if absolutely necessary, unrelated to aesthetics.

Is it possible to drink alcohol on Good Friday

Alcohol is completely excluded on Good Friday, even in moderate doses. This is the day of mourning, which provides for one of the strictest Fasts of the year, the use of wine, beer or any other strong drinks is categorically contrary to its spirit.

Moreover, abstaining from alcohol is seen as an act of inner purification and sacrifice in memory of the sufferings of Christ.

Good Friday: folk signs on April 18

Folk tradition is closely intertwined with the church tradition, linking numerous everyday and weather signs with Good Friday. The ancestors considered this day dangerous for new beginnings, as they were very likely not to bear fruit.

According to the beliefs, you should look out the window in the morning. If the first passerby on the street was a man, it promised financial stability and health for the whole year. The child foreshadowed easy changes, lovers or family — well-being in his personal life. But to see an elderly man meant a warning about possible difficulties — one should be careful.

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They tried to protect the clothes worn to the temple on this day, as they believed that they became protection for the whole year. The illogical attitude was towards candles brought home from evening worship, they were kept as a talisman against troubles.

Water was given special importance in the folk tradition. It was believed that on this day it acquires a special power. Our ancestors used to leave a full glass by the window on Friday evening, and in the morning they washed their faces with it to "wash away" all their worries.

In Russia, it was believed that the weather on Good Friday could tell you what spring would be like. So, if dogs are howling outside, it's worth waiting for a cold snap, if birds aren't singing, it's going to rain soon. A windless, cool night on a holiday promises a quick warming and sunny weather.

Earlier, Izvestia was told when to bake cakes, paint eggs, and clean the house during Holy Week.