The Society of Saint John the Evangelist: The Daily Office
Holy Week at the Monastery 2009
Resurrection Sunday
 Resurrection of Jesus |
The Great Vigil of Easter
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Resurrection Sunday Traditions
The Great Vigil of Easter
The Great Vigil of Easter is the most solemn and ancient liturgy of the entire year. It is the culmination of Lent and Holy Week, and the Triduum. The service consists of four parts: The Service of Light, in which new fire is kindled outdoors to light the Paschal (Easter) Candle, the entire congregation then processing into the chapel; The Service of Lessons, in which God’s saving deeds in history are retold; The Renewal of the Baptismal Covenant, in which believers reaffirm their commitment to the Christian way; and The Holy Eucharist, which breaks the Lenten fast with the proclamation of the Easter Alleluia and the first celebration of the Eucharist since Maundy Thursday. The vesture of the sacred ministers is white, symbolizing the light of Christ. The liturgy is followed by a light breakfast, to which the entire congregation is invited.
Ring the bells!
Worshippers at the Great Vigil of Easter are encouraged to bring with them any sort of hand-held bell they would like to ring as we sing God’s Paschal Lamb at the beginning of the first Eucharist of Easter and during the singing of Jesus Christ is Risen Today. This is our way of participating in the tradition of silencing church bells on Maundy Thursday and ringing them again on Easter Day. The custom likely reflects even more ancient habits of keeping silence before a spring equinox or a winter solstice, then celebrating it with a joyous celebration of light and sound announcing that the darkness has fled and that new life is coming back into the world.
Alleluia! Christ is risen! The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!
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