Today is Good Friday, the most solemn day of the Christian calendar, which commemorates the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross and his resurrection.

When the sun sets tonight, it also will mark the first day of Passover, the eight-day holiday in which Jews commemorate their freedom from slavery and their passage out of Egypt.

American Jews typically celebrate the “passing over” with a Seder dinner held at the home that involves story, song and conversation about the exodus from Egypt. The evening also features ritual drinking of wine and eating Matzo, a flat unleavened bread.

While there are no temples in the Cranberry area, the Cranberry Jewish Community regularly holds meetings and culturally-based activities, including a Purim party held in March to celebrate the Story of Esther. The group meets next at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Cranberry Public Library to discuss bylaw revisions and upcoming events.

“We’re going to start to do that every month,” said Jack Cohen, Cranberry Jewish Community president.

For Christians, Easter also marks the end of the 40-day Lent period. Below is a list of area churches and their worship services for Easter weekend. 

Local Services

St. Ferdinand Catholic Church in Cranberry

Good Friday: The youth ministry will present the Living Stations at 8 p.m. This is a passionate enactment of the Stations of the Cross.

Holy Saturday: Mass services at 8:30 a.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Easter Sunday: Mass services at 8 a.m., 10 a.m. Noon and 6 p.m.  

St. Kilian Parish in Cranberry

Good Friday: Solemn Liturgy of the Lord's Passion and Death at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Parish Center.

Holy Saturday: Blessing of Easter food baskets at noon at the Parish Center. Easter Vigil Mass at 7:30 p.m. at the Parish Center.  

Easter Sunday: Mass services at 7:30 a.m. at the Parish Center, 9 a.m. Mass at the Parish Center and Mars Area High School, 10:30 a.m. Mass at the Parish Center and Mars Area High School, 12:15 p.m. Mass at Mars Area High School.

St. Gregory Catholic Church in Zelienople

Saturday Vigil: 8:30 p.m.

Easter Sunday: Mass services at 8 a.m. and noon

St. Matthias Catholic Church in Evans City

Easter Sunday: Mass at 10 a.m.

Hope Lutheran Church in Cranberry

Good Friday: Services at 12:15 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Saturday: 7 p.m. Easter Vigil

Easter Sunday: Services at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Victory Family Church in Cranberry

Saturday: Service at 6 p.m.

Easter Sunday: Services at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Grace Community Church in Cranberry

Saturday: Services at 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Easter Sunday: Services at 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

Cranberry Community United Presbyterian

Good Friday: Worship service at 7:30 p.m.

Easter Sunday: Services at 8:45 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Dutilh United Methodist Church in Cranberry

Good Friday: "Come See the Place Where Jesus Prayed" at 7 p.m. at the Cranberry Campus 
Easter Sunday: "The Thorn," Services at 7 a.m. (with a breakfast after service), 8:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. at the Cranberry Campus. There is a 10 a.m. service at the Mars Campus.

Grace Church of Harmony

Easter Sunday: There will be a Sunrise Service at 6:30 a.m. followed by a continental breakfast and fellowship in the basement social room.