2 weeks Ago By Abigail Wilson
WITH Good Friday finally here, many have been left scratching their heads as they discover the real reason behind the tradition of eating fish on this day. The holy day , which is observed today, April 18, sees many people around the world ditching their usual diets in favour of seafood. 3 Foodies are only just realising why many people eat fish on Good Friday Credit: Getty 3 So if you've joined the tradition of ordering a chippie takeaway over Easter, you'll need to listen up Credit: Getty If you’re curious about why, it turns out there's a pretty straightforward reason.
The debate recently made its way onto Reddit, stirring quite the conversation amongst social media users as they delved into the rationale behind the Easter ritual. Posting on the NoStupidQuestions thread, one Reddit user questioned: "Do practising Christians HAVE to eat fish on Good Friday?” The anonymous user then shared: “I'm a former Christian and now Agnostic, but feeling superstitious due to a rough month, and thought I should probably pay my dues to Uncle J today by abstaining from meat. Read more Easter stories CHOC SHOCK People are realising they've been saying the name of a big chocolate brand WRONG EGGS-TRAORDINARY Foodies race to buy new Dubai chocolate Easter egg in popular supermarket "The problem is I've been out with my dad and his friends all day, so I haven't had a chance to make food.
Traditionally dinner with my mum would be salmon, but I live on my own.” The user continued: "It's now midnight, I'm kind of ready to hit the sack, but a part of me thinks that one HAS to eat fish today. “Like, you aren't meant to just sacrifice eating red meat and poultry, you specifically have to eat a symbolic fish while in prayer?" Reddit users eagerly flocked to the comments to share their two pence on the tradition.
Most read in Fabulous SWEET LIFE I'm a proud sugar baby and make £40k from dates - even my rent gets paid for SURGERY HELL I spent £11k on a gastric sleeve - I lost 11 stone but ended up unable to WALK SNAP IT UP Shoppers run to Home Bargains for 'fabulous' £2.99 plant that reseeds every year GRAPE IDEA The 49p hack that gets bath sparkling clean with less scrubbing & smells amazing One user wrote: "No, you don't have to eat fish on Good Friday . Avoiding red meat and poultry on Fridays in general is mostly a Catholic tradition.
Plenty of Christians don't follow it, especially Protestants." A second expressed: "They could choose to eat nothing or anything but meat. Since the traditional meal includes a protein, fish is the main protein of choice when meat is not available.
" Think you can crack the tricky brainteaser- Spot all 7 eggs in 10 seconds Meanwhile, another joined the conversation and stated: "Even people who ascribe to the 'no meat on Good Friday' tradition (not Biblical imperative, but tradition) can just eat a salad. Nowhere does it say you have to eat fish." So w hy do some tuck into a fish dish on Good Friday? For many Christians, Good Friday marks a time for abstinence, commemorating Jesus' sacrifice.
Over time, fish has become a popular choice for those abstaining from meat, allowing for a substantial meal without breaking tradition. While fish on Good Friday is a common custom, it is by no means universal and to some Christians, it's more about symbolism than strict adherence. Britain's top fish and chip shops Takeaway of the year Yarm Road Fish and Chips, Darlington The Fish Works, Largs, Scotland Kellaway's Fish and Chips, Truro, Cornwall Restaurant of the year Bells Fish and Chips, Durham Malt and Anchor, Gloucestershire Trenchers Spanish City, Whitley Bay Field to Fryer Redcloak Fish Bar – Stonehaven, Scotland The practice stems from the Catholic Church's historical prohibition on meat consumption on Fridays, which has evolved over time.
Fish often serves as the go-to substitute and now, even many non-Christians have embraced the Good Friday fish meal as part of cultural tradition. Now, fish and chips is a popular meal choice for lots of households in the UK, particularly on Good Friday, with many heading to their local chippie for a fish and chip takeaway . Read more on the Scottish Sun NOT A LOTTO LUCK Scots family ‘devastated’ after daughter throws away winning lotto ticket OPENING DAY 'Best day ever', cry fans as global brand opens at Scots shopping centre today Certain Christian denominations are fairly flexible about their dietary choices and for some, the act of abstaining from meat holds more significance than the actual meals consumed on the day.
Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club 3 The best chippies in Britain were crowned by The National Fish and Chip Awards in February.
