Good Friday is a unique — and uniquely solemn — day in the Christian calendar.
It commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus, ahead of what’s a central tenet of faith for believers — his resurrection two days later on Easter Sunday, according to the Gospels.
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A flagellant walks the streets during Good Friday rituals in San Pedro Cutud village, Pampanga province, northern Philippines, Friday April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
A penitent depicting an apostle marches holding a rooster during a Holy Week procession of the "Hermandad de Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno" brotherhood in Puente Genil, southern Spain, Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
A nail is pierced on the feet of Arnold Manaigo during the reenactment of Jesus Christ's sufferings as part of Good Friday rituals in the San Pedro Cutud village, Pampanga province, northern Philippines April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
An amateur actor performing as Jesus carries the cross during the traditional Good Friday procession organised by the Italian community in Bensheim, Germany, Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
Indian Christian devotees pray during a procession to mark Good Friday in Jammu, India, Friday, April 3, 2026.(AP Photo/Channi Anand)
Performers bring down Heron Aquino after he was nailed to the cross during a reenactment of Jesus Christ's sufferings as part of Good Friday rituals in the San Pedro Cutud village, Pampanga province, northern Philippines April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
An Indian Christian devotee pray during a procession to mark Good Friday in Jammu, India, Friday, April 3, 2026.(AP Photo/Channi Anand)
Christians reenact the crucifixion of Jesus Christ in Guwahati, India, on Good Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
A penitent holds a tray with a figure's severed head, ears, and tongue depicting a biblical scene during a Holy Week procession of the "Hermandad de Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno" brotherhood in Puente Genil, southern Spain, Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
An amateur actor performing as Jesus, right, is fixed on a cross during the traditional Good Friday procession organised by the Italian community in Bensheim, Germany, Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
A Christian pilgrim prays at the third station along the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem's Old City, largely empty due to restrictions linked to the Iran war, during Good Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)
Christians reenact the crucifixion of Jesus Christ in Guwahati, India, on Good Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
A reenactment of Jesus Christ's sufferings as part of Good Friday rituals in the San Pedro Cutud village, Pampanga province, northern Philippines, Friday April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
An amateur actor performing as Jesus is fixed on a cross during the traditional Good Friday procession organised by the Italian community in Bensheim, Germany, Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
A flagellant walks the streets during Good Friday rituals in San Pedro Cutud village, Pampanga province, northern Philippines, Friday April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
A penitent depicting an apostle marches holding a rooster during a Holy Week procession of the "Hermandad de Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno" brotherhood in Puente Genil, southern Spain, Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
A nail is pierced on the feet of Arnold Manaigo during the reenactment of Jesus Christ's sufferings as part of Good Friday rituals in the San Pedro Cutud village, Pampanga province, northern Philippines April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
An amateur actor performing as Jesus carries the cross during the traditional Good Friday procession organised by the Italian community in Bensheim, Germany, Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
Indian Christian devotees pray during a procession to mark Good Friday in Jammu, India, Friday, April 3, 2026.(AP Photo/Channi Anand)
Performers bring down Heron Aquino after he was nailed to the cross during a reenactment of Jesus Christ's sufferings as part of Good Friday rituals in the San Pedro Cutud village, Pampanga province, northern Philippines April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
An Indian Christian devotee pray during a procession to mark Good Friday in Jammu, India, Friday, April 3, 2026.(AP Photo/Channi Anand)
Christians reenact the crucifixion of Jesus Christ in Guwahati, India, on Good Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
A penitent holds a tray with a figure's severed head, ears, and tongue depicting a biblical scene during a Holy Week procession of the "Hermandad de Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno" brotherhood in Puente Genil, southern Spain, Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
An amateur actor performing as Jesus, right, is fixed on a cross during the traditional Good Friday procession organised by the Italian community in Bensheim, Germany, Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
A Christian pilgrim prays at the third station along the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem's Old City, largely empty due to restrictions linked to the Iran war, during Good Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)
Christians reenact the crucifixion of Jesus Christ in Guwahati, India, on Good Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
A reenactment of Jesus Christ's sufferings as part of Good Friday rituals in the San Pedro Cutud village, Pampanga province, northern Philippines, Friday April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
An amateur actor performing as Jesus is fixed on a cross during the traditional Good Friday procession organised by the Italian community in Bensheim, Germany, Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
