When is Good Friday?
Good Friday, the Friday before Easter, commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ; it is one of the most solemn days of the church year. Its date changes each year with Easter.
Good Friday — Catholic · Protestant (Western): the next date is March 26, 2027.
Good Friday — Greek Orthodox: the next date is April 30, 2027.
Good Friday — Armenian Apostolic: the next date is March 26, 2027.
Good Friday — Syriac Orthodox: the next date is April 30, 2027.
Good Friday depends on each tradition's Easter date; in the Orthodox and Syriac churches it usually falls on a different Friday than in the West.
Dates year by year — Western tradition
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | — Friday |
| 2027 | — Friday |
| 2028 | — Friday |
| 2029 | — Friday |
Catholic · Protestant (Western)
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | |
| 2027 | |
| 2028 |
Greek Orthodox
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | |
| 2027 | |
| 2028 |
Armenian Apostolic
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | |
| 2027 | |
| 2028 |
Syriac Orthodox
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | |
| 2027 | |
| 2028 |
Meaning and history
Good Friday is the Friday of Holy Week, commemorating the trial, crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. All four Gospels record these events in detail: the night interrogation, the hearing before the Roman governor Pilate, the walk to Golgotha, the crucifixion and the burial completed before sunset. In Christian belief this death is not an end but a willing sacrifice endured for the reconciliation of humanity; the New Testament letters place the cross at the centre of the faith, and the "suffering servant" passages of the Old Testament are read as foreshadowing it. In English the day is called "Good Friday", the word "good" pointing to what, in terms of faith, this death achieved for humanity; in many other languages it is simply "Holy Friday". In most church traditions the day is kept with fasting, stillness and prayer; in many churches decorations are removed, bells fall silent and readings reflect on the seven sayings of Jesus from the cross. The sorrow of Good Friday does not stand alone: it looks toward resurrection morning, Easter, two days later.