Orthodox Good Friday, also known as Great Friday, is a significant religious holiday observed in Serbia. The day commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. It is observed during Holy Week, the week before Easter Sunday, and falls on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday. The date of Orthodox Good Friday differs from the Western Christian Church due to the Serbian Orthodox Church following the Julian calendar, rather than the Gregorian calendar followed by Western Christian churches.
The observance of Orthodox Good Friday in Serbia is marked by solemnity and reverence. Typical customs include church services, processions, and the veneration of the cross. The liturgical practices symbolize the passion, suffering, and death on the cross of Jesus Christ. The church services often have mournful hymns, prayers, and readings from the Gospels that depict the events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus.
Despite the solemn nature of the day, Orthodox Good Friday is considered a public holiday in Serbia, meaning most businesses and schools are closed. Families often spend the day in quiet reflection and prayer, preparing for the celebrations of Easter Sunday. Traditional fasting, a significant aspect of the holiday, continues on Good Friday, with many consuming simple and modest meals if they break the fast at all. This leads up to the joyous celebration of Christ's resurrection on Easter Sunday.