Here’s what to know about Good Friday and the Holy Week of Easter.
Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus, which according to Christian belief, is seen as a sacrifice that atones for the sins of humanity. While the day is a somber one, it is also considered ‘good’ because it leads to the hope and joy of Easter Sunday where the resurrection of Jesus is celebrated, signifying victory over death.
Some believe the good in Good Friday also references the Old English meaning of holy. It is also known as Black Friday, Holy Friday, Great Friday, Good Friday of the Passion of the Lord, Great and Holy Friday.
While Good Friday is not one of the federal holidays, it is a state public holiday in Delaware and New Jersey, so state government offices are closed, as are some schools and businesses.
Although the stock market is closed on Good Friday, most banks will remain open as will the U.S. Postal Service, including mail delivery. While most businesses and restaurants are open on this day, it is always good to check ahead.
Good Friday falls on April 18th this year during Holy Week, which started with Palm Sunday on April 13, 2025 and ends with Easter Sunday. This year’s Passover week overlaps with Holy Week.
Unlike many other holidays, the Easter holiday dates change every year. It can be as early as March 22 or as late as April 25, which means the Lenten period and Good Friday also change.
Here’s when and what to know about April 2025’s holiday dates to look forward to.
When is Lent 2025 over?
This year, Lent began on Wednesday, March 5 and ends on Thursday, April 17. It runs six weeks before Easter.
Lent is the religious period of fasting and repentance for Christians. During this time of penance, charity and fasting, people “give up” luxuries and things they enjoy, such as chocolate or coffee or snacks. It is also common practice in the Catholic church to abstain from eating meat on Fridays during the Lenten season and turn to fish-fry Fridays.
What is Holy Week 2025?
Holy Week is the most important or significant week in Catholicism. It starts with Palm Sunday on April 13, 2025 this year and ends on Easter Sunday, April 20. However there are a week’s worth of holy days within the week:
On Palm Sunday, Jesus triumphantly entered Jerusalem.
On Monday, Jesus cleared out the temple with a whip.
On Tuesday, Jesus was anointed with oil at Bethany and preached on the Mount of Olives.
On Wednesday, Jesus was betrayed by the apostle Judas.
On Holy Thursday, Jesus celebrates the Last Supper, prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, and was arrested.
On Good Friday, Jesus was sentenced to death, crucified and died on the cross.
On Holy Saturday, Jesus was buried in the tomb and descended into hell.
On Easter Sunday, Jesus rose from the dead.
When is Easter Sunday 2025?
This year, Easter Sunday is observed on Sunday, April 20.
Easter is the holiest day in the Christian calendar, observing the day Jesus Christ resurrected from the dead three days after his death on Good Friday.
Why does Easter change every year?
According to the Almanac, Easter Sunday changes every year because it is fixed to a solar calendar and based on the lunar cycles of the Jewish calendar. It always occurs on the first Sunday after the Paschal Full moon (full moon that occurs on or after the March or spring equinox). This year’s astronomical date of the equinox is March 20.
When is Passover 2025?
This year, Passover begins on the evening of Saturday, April 12 through Sunday, April 20, 2025. One of the major Jewish holidays, Pesach celebrates the Exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.
Passover is a week-long celebration that includes a special meal called the Seder. Traditions include removing leavened products from homes, synagogue service and family gatherings and instead eat matzah (unleavened bread), symbolizing the haste with which the Israelites left Egypt.
When is Easter 2026?
Next year’s Easter Sunday, also called Pascha or Resurrection Sunday, will fall on April 5, 2026.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: What does Good Friday mean? Is Good Friday a federal holiday?