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LORD AND SAVIOR

Is Good Friday a federal holiday?

GOOD Friday will be celebrated on April 15, 2022, leading up to the Easter holiday.

The day is a religious holiday that is celebrated by Christians and marks the end of Lent.

Good Friday is an official holiday in 11 states
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Good Friday is an official holiday in 11 statesCredit: Getty

Is Good Friday a federal holiday?

Good Friday marks the end of the Lent and is observed by those who practice the Christian religion to commemorate the crucifixion of their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

While the holiday takes place two days prior to Easter every year, only 11 states in the US observe it by closing schools and businesses.

It is an optional holiday in Texas but is recognized as a federal holiday in Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, and Tennessee.

Religious holidays in the US are not designated as federal holidays, however, states can decide to make a day a public holiday on an individual level.

To date, the only religious holiday federally observed each year is Christmas, which was approved by the House and Senate, and signed into law by then-President Ulysses S. Grant.

Historically, religious holidays have not been adopted federally because the government did not want to force celebrations.

When Christmas was made a federal holiday, it was done so alongside Thanksgiving, New Year's Day, and the Fourth of July.

Federal holidays were selected based on which ones were commonly celebrated and would benefit the majority of those living in the nation.

How is Good Friday observed?

Good Friday is celebrated in the lead-up to Easter with a day of fasting during the time Jesus laid in the tomb after being crucified.

Attending Church is a common practice amongst Christians on Good Friday, while other areas of the world have celebrated with communities performances and other traditions for centuries.

In Germany, a Passion Play that dramatizes the last day of Jesus' life has been held every ten years since 1604.

Similar plays are held in the US annually, primarily taking place in Southington, Connecticut, San Antonio, Texas, and Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

Good Friday is observed by fasting and attending Church
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Good Friday is observed by fasting and attending ChurchCredit: Getty

What is the origin of Good Friday?

While Good Friday is considered a somber holiday, it is meant as a celebration of Jesus' suffering and sacrifice as he carried his own cross while being forced to wear a crown of thorns on his head.

The earliest documented celebration of Good Friday occurred in 100 CE and at the time, was primarily observed by fasting.

The concept of using the word "good" as the name for the holiday comes from old English where good was synonymous with holy and leads to Easter when God raised Jesus Christ from the dead.

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