The Great Easter Vigil

As night falls on Holy Saturday, we move into the liturgy of the Great Vigil of Easter.  The Great Vigil was already well established by the 4th century AD. Traditionally, the service began late in the evening and lasted until after midnight so that the new day (Easter) could be met with the celebration of the Easter Eucharist.  On this most holy night, our Lord Jesus passed over from death to life.  As the Church throughout the world, we gather in vigil and prayer to remember the Passover of the Lord.   For in hearing his holy Word and celebrating his Sacraments, we share in his victory over death. Through the Vigil, the mystery of Easter becomes alive, and we are incorporated into the saving acts of Christ.

The Easter Vigil begins with the Service of Light. A fire is lit outside the church, and we are reminded that Christ is the Light of the World as the Paschal candle is lit from the fire. The church, which has been stripped bare, is gradually filled with the light of Christ as each person’s candle is lit from the fire of the Paschal candle as it is processed into the church. As a congregation, we listen in wonder as the Exsultet, the traditional Great Easter Proclamation, is sung. We rejoice in “the victory of our mighty King” for “darkness has been vanquished,” and we pray for “the grace to sing the worthy praise of this great light!” (Book of Common Prayer [1979] p. 286).

From the Service of Light, we move to the Service of Lessons, in which the whole history of salvation is proclaimed through the reading of Holy Scripture.  We begin with the creation story in Genesis and move through the Old Testament, concluding with the regathering of God’s people in the book of Zephaniah.

Traditionally, it was customary for converts to the faith to prepare for Holy Baptism throughout Lent. With their preparation complete, they would experience the joy of Holy Baptism at the Great Vigil and receive for the very first time the sanctified Bread and Wine, the blessed Body and Blood of our Lord, in the first Holy Eucharist of Easter. It was a wondrous and joyous time. Today, we still baptize people at the Great Vigil, and everyone in the congregation joins with them in renewing their commitment to follow Jesus as Lord and Savior.

After the baptisms, the celebrant faces the people and proclaims the Great Alleluia three times in jubilation, “Alleluia! Christ is Risen!”  To which the people respond three times in jubilation, “The Lord is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!” The Alleluias are back for the first time since Lent began over 40 days before. With this triumphant exchange, the candles at the altar are lit with the light of the Paschal candle, the lights in the church are thrown on, all in the congregation who brought bells begin ringing them, and the altar is vested with all the glory of Easter. Christ is Risen from the dead!

The Eastern Orthodox Church traditionally reads St. John Chrysostom’s incomparable Paschal Sermon. This homily has been read faithfully for centuries at the Great Vigil of Easter.  This breathtakingly beautiful sermon proclaims that “the Lord gives generously. The Lord accepts the offering of every work. The Lord honors every deed and commends every intention... You who have kept the fast, and you who have not, rejoice this day, for the Table is richly spread! Feast royally upon it, for He has prepared the fatted calf. Let no one go away hungry. Partake, all of you, of the banquet of faith. Come and enjoy the bounty of the Lord’s goodness!”

The final and ultimate part of the Vigil is the celebration of the Easter Eucharist. Christ has become our Passover Lamb. He has won for us salvation. And as we partake of this most holy Sacrament, the Eucharist, we “celebrate the memorial of our redemption” and offer thanks to God that we have been “graciously accepted as living members of his Son our Savior Jesus Christ.” Because of his great love for us, we have passed from death to life.  Because of his death and triumphant resurrection, we have been redeemed and brought back to our true home!

Alleluia! Christ is risen!

The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!