Orthodox Good Friday, also known as 'Great Friday', is a significant religious holiday observed in North Macedonia and is part of the Orthodox Holy Week - the last week of Christian Lent that leads up to Easter. It commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. The holiday date varies each year as it is based on the Julian calendar, unlike the Gregorian calendar used in the West, hence, Orthodox Good Friday usually occurs later than the Catholic Good Friday.
The celebrations of Orthodox Good Friday in North Macedonia are characterized by solemnity and reverence. The day is typically observed with fasting and strict abstinence. Church services include the reading of the Twelve Passion Gospels which narrate the final journey of Jesus Christ from his trial to his crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. On this day, many Orthodox Christians in North Macedonia also participate in processions and reenactments of the Crucifixion, bringing a sense of sorrow and reflection upon the sacrifices of Jesus Christ.
Despite the sorrowful undertones of the holiday, Orthodox Good Friday is a day of anticipation in North Macedonia. The faithful await the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is commemorated on Easter Sunday following Holy Saturday. It is seen as the pivotal event of the Christian faith, a beacon of hope symbolizing victory over death. Regardless of the sorrowful events Orthodox Good Friday embodies, it is ultimately a lead-up to the joyous celebrations of Orthodox Easter Sunday in North Macedonia.