Commemorating Jesus' crucifixion, Good Friday is a solemn day of mourning and reflection for Christians, who often attend special church services and prayer vigils. Good Friday is a part of Holy Week, which includes Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday, and Good Friday, leading up to Easter Sunday.
That terrible Friday has been called Good Friday because it led to the Resurrection of Jesus and his victory over death and sin and the celebration of Easter, the very pinnacle of Christian celebrations
Christians believe that when Jesus was executed he sacrificed his own life so that everyone can be forgiven for their sins. Because of this Good Friday is one of the most important dates in the Christian calendar.
As such, special Good Friday services are held in churches in which the suffering Jesus experienced in his death is remembered and mourned.
On the morning of Good Friday, Jesus was taken to the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate. The governor didn't like the fact that people called Jesus a king, but he didn't think Jesus deserved to be killed.
Because of this he told the large crowd of people outside his palace that they could decide whether Jesus should be freed. Nonetheless, the crowd called for Jesus to be crucified.
Jesus was then beaten by the Roman soldiers and made to carry a heavy wooden cross on his back all the way through the city to the place he was to be killed. The soldiers mocked him and made him wear a crown made of thorns which made his head bleed.
Jesus's terrible journey through Jerusalem with the cross is known as the Stations of the Cross. On the journey he met many people, including his mother, Mary.
Finally, Jesus was nailed to the cross he had carried, and placed between two thieves who were also being crucified. At noon the sky turned black and the Earth shook. Eventually Jesus died.
