GREAT VIGIL OF EASTER
Location: Cathedral
Sat, 3 Apr 2010: 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
On this most holy night, in which our Lord Jesus Christ passes over from death to life, we celebrate the most ancient of all these services, the Great Vigil of Easter.
In the early church this was the traditional time for baptizing new Christians, symbolizing their passage from an old life of sin to a new life in the Risen Christ.
The service begins in darkness with the kindling of new fire and the light and procession of the Paschal Candles. Chanting of psalms and reading from scriptures in candlelight recall God’s acts in history beginning from creation.
This is followed by the Litany of the Saints, Rites of Christian Initiation when members of the Cathedral congregation and from around the Diocese are baptized, confirmed, received or reaffirmed. Then with sudden bursts of light, shouts of Alleluia and pealing bells, the Resurrection is proclaimed and the first Eucharist of East is celebrated by the Bishop. For information about Holy Week services at the Cathedral, please call 215.386.0234, ext 104.
Posted by: Daniel Tomko, 14 Jul, 2009
