GOOD FRIDAY. The Friday before Easter, Good Friday has arrived. Good Friday is the day on which Christians annually observe and reflect upon the commemoration of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Christian or non-Christian, both agree that Jesus was a real-life historical figure. New Testament expert Bart Ehrman wrote that “(Jesus) certainly existed, as virtually every competent scholar of antiquity agrees.”

And on Good Friday, we reflect on the fact that Jesus was forced to carry his cross to Calvary, where he was crucified alongside two criminals. He remained alive on the cross for up to six hours before succumbing to his wounds. This sacrifice allowed for the forgiving or pardoning of Christians’ sins.

Did you know the name “Good Friday” goes back centuries? The earliest known use of the name goes back to approximately 1290 AD in a text called, “The South English Legendary.”

Good Friday is celebrated world-wide, leading to various means of commemorating the day. For instance, Bermuda’s tradition is to fly a kite on Good Friday to symbolize both the cross and Jesus’ ascending to Heaven.

There is also a widely known tradition of eating hot sweet cross buns on Good Friday, which supposedly brings the consumer good luck.

Another widely spread tradition or superstition, rather, is that getting a haircut on Good Friday will prevent headaches for the rest of the year.

No matter your personal beliefs, traditions or superstitions Good Friday is a day for somber reflection to appreciate the way Jesus suffered and died so Christians’ sins could be pardoned.

If nothing else, stop what you are doing today at 3 p.m. — the time traditionally recognized as the time Jesus perished on the cross — and reflect or pray during a moment of silence.