Easter is almost here! In Poland the last week of Lent, Holy Week, is known as Wielki Post or Wielki Tydzień. During this week Polish families prepare their homes for Easter. Traditionally there is spring cleaning, shopping, baking and cooking for the Easter feast.

Many churches in Poland observe Good Friday (Wielki Piątek), which is the Friday before Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday (Wielkanoc), and Easter Monday.

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Good Friday is not an official public holiday in Poland, but some shops may have shorter opening hours. Some museums, theaters and tourist attractions may also be closed.

In Polish churches a reconstructed tomb is placed in a special place with the faithful praying constantly and keeping watch. People visit those tombs and pray.

Devoted Poles may observe a strict fast on Good Friday, consuming neither food nor beverages.  Some cover the mirrors in their homes with a black veil to remind them that they are in mourning for the death of Jesus Christ (Veiling). Good Friday was the day traditionally reserved for the decoration of pisanki, or Easter eggs.

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Good Friday – Why is it “Good”?
Is good Friday really “good”? It may seem odd that people celebrate the day Jesus was crucified as “good.” Obviously, the suffering Jesus went through on Good Friday was not good. He was whipped, beaten, mocked, and killed in a very violent way. How can that be good?

The term “Good” as applied to Good Friday is an Old English expression meaning holy. It’s often called Holy Friday also.

But in another sense, Good Friday is always tied to Easter Sunday, which is a joyful celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. He could not have been resurrected if he had not died first.