The Great Vigil of Easter

THE GREAT VIGIL OF EASTER

Scroll down for links to pdf of Great Vigil liturgy in several different traditions
Scroll down for a video of the Great Vigil Services from the National Cathedral

The Great Vigil of Easter is considered the first service of Easter, and today is usually celebrated between sunset on Holy Saturday, and sunrise on Easter morning.  It is one of the most ancient services in Christian worship.  The service varies between different Christian traditions but this is a very rich, theological, and moving service. The Service usually is comprised of four parts, the liturgy of light (or service of light), the liturgy of the Word, Baptism, and the Holy Eucharist.

The liturgy of light - The service begins in the darkness, (either in the evening outside the church, or in a dimly lit church, or in the early morning before the sun rises), in the darkness a fire is kindled.  Ideally, it should be kindled by natural light (flint/steel), a small fire may be started in a fire urn.  From this fire, the Christ Candle, or the Paschal Candle will be lit.  The Christ Candle is snuffed out at a Tenebrae or Good Friday Service and isn't re-lit until Easter morning.  The Christ Candle is processed into the church alone, (no other crosses) followed by the people, symbolizing the pillar of fire that led the Children of Israel.   After the Christ Candle is brought into the church, worshippers light smaller candles that they hold either till the liturgy of light or liturgy of Word is completed.  One candle is lit from the Christ Candle and passed to all others.

The liturgy for the Great Vigil is one of the most richest of all the liturgy in the church.  It recounts several Old and New Testament passages that weave together to tell the story of the salvation of God's people.  This is usually part of the second movement of the service in the liturgy of the Word.  Usually, four readings are selected plus a gospel reading, and a sermon is preached.  Some churches keep the full nine to  twelve readings which are quite lengthy.

Traditionally, many Christians receive Baptism during this service.  If there are no baptism, it is still an opportunity to reaffirm the vows made at a Christian baptism for those in attendance.  The service concludes with Holy Communion celebrating the Presence of the living Christ among his people.

In some traditions, other highlights may includes the blowing of a shofar (rams horn) prior to the first Alleluia of Easter.  This takes place right after the conclusion of the Liturgy of the Word.   The Great Noise is symbolic of the Resurrection, worshippers are encouraged to bring bells, or noise makers, and as the lights are raised the altar candles are lit from the Christ Candle or Paschal Candle, at the conclusion of the Great Noise, a hymn may be sung (festive with accompanying music and instruments).  Asperges is the sprinkling with holy water by the clergy of the people reenacting the Old Testament liturgical practice.  This can be done after Baptism, or during the reaffirmation of Baptismal covenant.

This service can vary between the different Christian families, the Roman Catholic, Greek and Russian Orthodox, and Protestant branches each have this service in their worship liturgies. The Easter Vigil has its origins in the earliest centuries of Christianity.  It was sometimes referred to Holy Saturday and was especially devoted to the baptism of catechumens.   Most Christian denominations today have this service in their worship.   If your church does not have this as a service, think about including it as part of a Easter sunrise service, or as a special service on Holy Saturday.  Below see a few links with different variations of the service.

Presbyterian Church USA

Roman Catholic Church

Greek Orthodox

Greek Orthodox liturgy rubric

Lutheran ELCA

Episcopal Church

Anglican Church of Australia

Liturgies.net (on line Easter resources)

Reformed Church in America

United Methodist Church

Video from Youtube of the Great Vigil Service from the National Cathedral in 2016