Wearing black, hot cross buns: 7 Good Friday traditions

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Friday, April 15, 2022

Wearing black clothes

Jonathan Fromm, New York member of Communion and Liberation, carries a cross on the Brooklyn Bridge during the 19th annual 'Way of the Cross Over the Brooklyn Bridge Ceremony' in New York City, April 18, 2014. The ceremony, hosted yearly on the Christian holy day of Good Friday, includes walking from St. James Cathedral, over the Brooklyn Bridge to St. Peter's Church in Manhattan. The event attracts approximately 2,000 people each year. — Jonathan Fromm, New York member of Communion and Liberation, carries a cross on the Brooklyn Bridge during the 19th annual "Way of the Cross Over the Brooklyn Bridge Ceremony" in New York City, April 18, 2014. The ceremony, hosted yearly on the Christian holy day of Good Friday, includes walking from St. James Cathedral, over the Brooklyn Bridge to St. Peter's Church in Manhattan. The event attracts approximately 2,000 people each year. | Reuters/Eduardo Munoz

In some circles, especially traditional Catholic communities, people are known to wear black clothing, especially mourning clothes, on Good Friday.

The fashion decision is based on treating the holy day, which centers on the death of Jesus, as a solemn occasion not unlike a funeral.

“Good Friday (also called ‘Great Friday’ or ‘Holy Friday’) is the most somber day of the entire year,” stated Moody Catholic.

“A silence pervades, socializing is kept to a minimum, things are done quietly; it is a day of mourning; it is a funeral.”

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