The Russian Orthodox Church is discussing the possibility of introducing a day off on Good Friday

The Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) has come forward with an initiative to discuss the possibility of introducing a day off on Good Friday, the most mournful day of the church year preceding Easter. The proposal is aimed at giving believers the opportunity to fully participate in church services and observe the traditions of this special day.

According to RIA Novosti, Vladimir Legoyda, chairman of the Russian Orthodox Church’s Synodal Department for Relations between the Church and Society and the Media, said that this issue is a subject for calm and mutually respectful public discussion. He noted that Holy Week, dedicated to the last days of Jesus Christ’s earthly life, is already a non-working day in a number of countries, which confirms international practice.

Great (Good) Friday is the day of remembrance of the suffering on the cross, crucifixion, death and burial of the Lord Jesus Christ. On this day the Church performs special services: the Shroud with the image of the Savior is taken out of the altar, and in the evening there is a burial rite, when the Shroud is taken around the temple, after which it is placed for worship in the center.

Vladimir Legoyda emphasized: «We would very much like believing people to have the opportunity to practice their faith, and since the question of introducing a day off on Good Friday arises, it seems to me that this is a subject for discussion.» Archpriest Mikhail Potokin, chairman of the Synodal Department for Church Charity and Social Service of the Russian Orthodox Church, also spoke in favor of the initiative, pointing out that a day off on important church dates would encourage wider attendance at services.

For context, in 2026, Lent runs from February 23 to April 11, and the Easter holiday falls on April 12.