The day is also known as Black Friday or Sorrowful Friday, as well as Long Friday. Many Orthodox Christians call the day Great Friday. According to yet another interpretation, despite the horrors Jesus endured on that day, the event ultimately represents an act of love and constitutes one of the central and most cherished themes of Christianity: that Jesus died to pay the price for humankind's sins. One school of thought is that Good Friday stems from the words “God’s Friday”, while others understand “good” in the sense of “observed as holy”. There are many theories as to why the day that remembers Jesus’ death on the cross is known as Good Friday. Some people have a day off work on Good Friday in the Netherlands, while others work. Good Friday is not a federal holiday in countries such as the United States, although it is a state holiday in some states, including Hawaii. Good Friday is a public holiday in many countries including (but not exclusive to): Egg decorating is also part of the Easter preparations in Poland and many other countries. Many Christians in Poland fast on dry bread and roasted potatoes. The day is solemn and a general air of sadness is felt in many towns and villages. Churches in countries, such as Belgium and Mexico, are draped in black on Good Friday in memory of Jesus’ suffering on the cross. This custom dates back to the 19th century. Kites that are often handmade are flown in Bermuda on Good Friday to symbolize the cross that Jesus died on, as well as his ascension into heaven. Processions are held in many countries such as India, Italy, Malta, the Philippines, and Spain.
Many churches also observe the day by re-enacting the procession of the cross as in the ritual of the Stations of the Cross, which depicts the final hours of Jesus’ life. Many church services are held in the afternoon, usually around noon or midday to 3pm, to remember the hours when Jesus hung on the cross. This is an observance that involves people fasting and praying. Many people in different countries celebrate the anniversary of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion, and death on the Friday before Easter Sunday. Good Friday commemorates Jesus' death on the cross. It commemorates Jesus Christ’s Passion, crucifixion, and death, which is told in the Christian Bible. Many Christians around the world observe Good Friday on the Friday before Easter Sunday. Business Date to Date (exclude holidays).