Good Friday in Canada

Good Friday occurs two days before Easter Sunday. It is the day when Christians commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, which plays an important part in the Christian faith. It is also a statutory holiday in all Canadian provinces and territories except Quebec, where it is partially observed.

A depiction of Jesus on the cross. ©iStockphoto.com/Richard Goerg

What do people do?

Christians may attend special church services, even if they do not attend church regularly during the rest of the year. Good Friday is a day of mourning and quiet prayer among many Christians. The candles are often extinguished and statues, paintings and crosses may be draped in black, purple or gray cloth. Some Catholics observe a partial fast on Good Friday and do not eat any meat.

Hot cross buns are a traditional treat on Good Friday. These are small bread-like buns, made from dough that contains raisins, currants and other dried fruit. The top of a hot cross bun is marked with a cross and covered with a sugar glaze. The cross may be cut into the bun or marked with a special dough that remains pale even after it has been baked. Hot cross buns may be eaten as they are, split and spread with butter or toasted.

For Canadians who are not Christians Good Friday is the start of a three or four-day weekend. This is a welcome spring break, which some people use to visit family or friends. It is also a popular time to take a short vacation.

Public life

Good Friday is a public holiday at a national level in Canada. Schools and many businesses and organizations are closed and many people have a day off work. Post offices are closed and in some areas, particularly in the provinces of Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador, stores are closed or have restricted opening hours. Public transport services many run to their usual or restricted timetables. In rural areas, public transport may close down completely.

In Quebec, Good Friday or Easter Monday are a statutory general holidays at the option of the employer. Schools and post offices are closed. Public transport services many run to their usual or restricted timetables. In rural areas, public transport may close down completely.

Background

Good Friday is the day when Christians commemorate the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. This is an important event in Christianity, as it represents the sacrifices and suffering in Jesus' life. The crucifixion was the culmination of a number of events in Holy Week, including: the triumphal return of Jesus to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday; the washing of the disciples' feet by Jesus; and the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday. The Easter date depends on the ecclesiastical approximation of the March equinox.

On Good Friday in 1964 (March 27), a large earthquake occurred when a fault between the Pacific and North American tectonic plates ruptured. The epicenter of the earthquake was near Prince William Sound in Alaska, USA, but also caused a tsunami. This damaged or destroyed more than 400 homes in communities on the west coast of Vancouver Island, including Port Alberni and Zeballos.

Symbols

The most important Good Friday symbol is the crucifix, or cross, which represents the way Jesus died. Some crosses bear a figure of Christ. Other symbols of Good Friday include black cloth used to cover the cross, paintings and statues in churches and some homes to signify mourning. In addition, some people deliberately create a bare appearance in their homes and churches by removing all flowers and shiny objects.

About Good Friday in other countries

Good Friday Observances

Related holidays

• Palm Sunday ―Sunday, April 1, 2012
• Maundy Thursday ―Thursday, April 5, 2012
• Holy Saturday ―Saturday, April 7, 2012
• Easter Sunday ―Sunday, April 8, 2012
• Easter Monday ―Monday, April 9, 2012
• Epiphany ―Friday, January 6, 2012

Other holidays in April 2012 in Canada

• Palm Sunday ―Sunday, April 1, 2012
• Maundy Thursday ―Thursday, April 5, 2012
• First day of Passover ―Saturday, April 7, 2012
• Holy Saturday ―Saturday, April 7, 2012
• Easter Sunday ―Sunday, April 8, 2012
• Vimy Ridge Day ―Monday, April 9, 2012
• Easter Monday ―Monday, April 9, 2012
• Orthodox Good Friday ―Friday, April 13, 2012
• Last day of Passover ―Saturday, April 14, 2012
• Orthodox Holy Saturday ―Saturday, April 14, 2012
• Orthodox Easter ―Sunday, April 15, 2012
• Orthodox Easter Monday ―Monday, April 16, 2012
• Yom HaShoah ―Wednesday, April 18, 2012
• St. George's Day ―Monday, April 23, 2012
• Yom HaAtzmaut ―Thursday, April 26, 2012