fast of the Christian church, in memory of the sufferings and death of Jesus Christ. It is observed on the Friday in holy or passion week; and it is called, by way of eminence, good, because of the blessed effects of our Saviour's sufferings, which were a propitiatory or expiating sacrifice for the sins of the world. The commemoration of our Saviour's sufferings has been kept from the very first ages of Christianity, and was always observed as a day of the strictest fasting and humiliation. Among the Saxons it was called Long-Friday; but for what reason, except on account of the long fastings and offices then used, is uncertain. On Good Friday the pope sits on a plain form; and, after service is ended, when the cardinals wait on him back to his chamber, they are obliged to keep a deep silence, as a testimony of their sorrow. In the night of Good-Friday, the Greeks perform the obsequies of our Saviour round a great crucifix, laid on a bed of flate, adorned with flowers; these the bishops distribute among the assistants when the office is ended. The Armenians, on this day, set open a holy sepulchre, in imitation of that of Mount Calvary.