I am a Greek Orthodox Christian living in New York. Every year, I observe Orthodox Good Friday, a day of great significance to my faith. However, unlike other religious holidays such as Jewish and Muslim holidays which are recognized by the school system, Orthodox Good Friday is not. If it wasn't for my employer closing the charter school where I work, I would have to take it as a personal day in order to religiously observe my Orthodox Good Friday.

New York is known for its diversity and inclusivity. The city's public schools recognize several religious holidays throughout the year including Rosh Hashanah (Jewish), Eid al-Fitr (Muslim), and Christmas (Christian). Yet there is no recognition of Orthodox Good Friday - an important holiday for many  Orthodox Christians like me.

According to Pew Research Center data from 2010, there are approximately 260 million Eastern Orthodoxy followers worldwide with around 6 million residing in North America. This number includes thousands of families across New York who observe this holiday.

By recognizing this day as an official school holiday, we can ensure that all students and staff members who follow Eastern Orthodoxy can observe their faith without having to compromise their professional or academic responsibilities.

Let's make our education system more inclusive by recognizing all major religions equally. Please sign this petition asking New York schools to include Orthodox Good Friday on their list of observed holidays.