Good Friday is a day of great significance to Christianity, as it is considered in Christian tradition to be the day when Jesus Christ was crucified. It takes place two days before Easter Sunday and is part of Holy Week, which commemorates the last days of Jesus’ life and his resurrection.

It is considered a day of great devotion to Jesus, celebrating his sacrifice but also mourning and respecting his crucifixion. In the Catholic tradition, no masses are celebrated on this day, but a ceremony called the “Celebration of the Passion of the Christ” is held. Many people choose to abstain from eating red meat.

In an exclusive commentary to TV BRICS, Sergey Skorokhodov, associate professor at the Department of Marketing and Sports Business at the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, spoke about the traditions and customs of Brazil in connection with Good Friday.

“One of the most notable traditions is the religious processions that take place in many cities and villages in the country. Participants in the processions are usually dressed in traditional religious costumes and carry statues of Jesus and other saints.”

In many places there are religious processions and theatrical performances symbolising Jesus’ last days, suffering, death and resurrection.

“One particularly famous procession is the ‘Procession of Encounter’, during which men and women walk in different directions and ‘meet’, symbolising Mary’s encounter with Jesus on the way to the crucifixion. These performances can be very large and detailed, attracting large numbers of spectators,” says the expert.

Events and ceremonies during Good Friday in Brazil

“For many believers, Good Friday is a time of silence, prayer and reflection. People can attend church services, spend time in prayer at home or visit holy places,” said Sergey Skorokhodov.

Traditional dishes on Good Friday

The expert said that since many Brazilians fast and abstain from meat on Good Friday, the traditional dish on Good Friday is fish. One popular dish is Bacalhau, a savoury cod dish prepared in various ways. Lenten dishes such as fish and seafood become a staple on Good Friday.

Moqueca is another traditional fish dish which is prepared with coconut milk, coriander, tomatoes and other ingredients and served with rice.

Good Friday in contemporary Brazilian society

An associate professor at the Department of Marketing and Sports Business at the Finance University under the Government of the Russian Federation said that in modern Brazilian society, which is predominantly Catholic, Good Friday retains its deep religious and cultural significance.

“This day is an official public holiday, which emphasises its importance not only in a religious but also in a social context,” added Sergey Skorokhodov.

A curious fact: in the historic town of Ouro Preto there is a procession of the Catholic brotherhood, which has preserved absolutely all the traditions of this ceremony, which took place in colonial Brazil in the 17th century.

As the day draws to a close, there is a sense of hope and renewal in the air, preparing hearts for the celebration of Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Photo:
iStock