Orthodox Good Friday in Australia

Orthodox Christians observe Good Friday, or what they also call Great Friday, to remember the day Jesus Christ died in the cross. In Australia, and in other countries where Orthodox Christians are present, the Good Friday happens not on the same day the Good Friday of Catholic Christians is celebrated. This is because the Orthodox Christians follow the Julian calendar and therefore celebrate different Lenten Season dates.

The Orthodox Christians in Australia

There are different kinds of Orthodox Christians that found a home in Australia, examples of which are the Coptic Orthodox Christians and the Greek Orthodox Christians. In fact, Australia houses have many Greek Orthodox Churches. There is a big population of Greek Orthodox Christians in Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales.

The Orthodox Good Friday in Australia

The Orthodox Christians set a solemn atmosphere in the observation of their Good Friday. It is a day of mourning since they remember the sacrifices and death of Jesus Christ in the cross. Orthodox Churches hold various activities that lead to the remembrance of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, and these activities include reading of scriptures, special liturgies, and Gospel reflections. There are also organizers of family retreats, religious discussion groups, and the like. Children are introduced to the stories of the sacrifices and death of Jesus Christ, his resurrections, and the meanings behind the Lenten stories. The epitaph of the Orthodox Church is also decorated with spring flowers. The epitaph will be paraded on the streets, lit with candles, towards the evening of the Orthodox Good Friday. Orthodox Christians practice fast and repentance during this time of the year.

It is also in this time the Orthodox Christians prepare the Easter Eggs they will be using in the remembrance of the rising of Jesus Christ from the dead. The Easter Eggs of the Orthodox are quite different. Instead of decorating the eggs with colourful designs like many Christians do, they paint it with red instead. The red in the Easter Eggs remind the Orthodox Christians of the blood that flow from the different parts of Jesus Christ’s body during his suffering.

Australian Public Observance of Orthodox Good Friday

Orthodox Good Friday is not a federal holiday in Australia. Therefore, many establishments, offices, organizations, and services operate that day. There is no major traffic in the road; however, the traffic near Orthodox Churches may experience a slight obstruction due to the procession of the epitaph in the evening. The workforce is not affected during the Orthodox Good Friday. Employees who belong to the Orthodox community usually file a leave of absence to be able to participate in the traditional events during Orthodox Good Friday.