Despite Good Friday being celebrated by Christians and Catholics alike within Detroit churches, there are a number of things about this sacred day that etymologists and scholars still don’t know. For example, some wonder about the origin of the name “Good Friday,” while others debate the true date of the crucifixion. While there may not be concrete answers to either of these questions, there is certainly a lot to learn about such a crucial day of remembrance in the Catholic faith. Here, we’ll discuss the etymology of the holiday’s name, as well as why the day itself is good.
Etymology
If Good Friday is a day to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus, then why is it called “good?” Some may argue that the day is good because it represents Christ’s willing sacrifice to suffer and die for the sins of humanity so that we don’t have to, and so that His followers may spend eternal life with Him in Heaven.
However, there are other thoughts about the use of the word “good” in the holiday name, despite the Catholic Encyclopedia stating that the term’s origins are ultimately unclear.
“God’s Friday”
Another theory states that “good” was originally derived from “God.” Some linguists disagree with this, though, stating that English speakers often associate the two words when there is truly no connection.
Good And Holy
A third theory, supported by the Oxford English Dictionary, is that the name “Good Friday” derives from an obsolete version of the word “holy.” It makes sense that this might be correct, especially given the other names given to Good Friday such as “Sacred Friday” and “Passion Friday.”
Regardless of the true answers to these questions, Detroit churches like Old St. Mary’s will be celebrating our freedom from sin on Good Friday, which falls on March 30 in 2018.
