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Easter Vigil

Saturday, April 07, 2012, 8:30 PM - 10:30 PM

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Lighting of the New Fire and Baptisms in the Parish Hall at 8:30 pm. Reception follows.

Easter Vigil dates back to at least the Roman times, takes place on Holy Saturday. The Easter Vigil is held in many Christian churches as the official celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The service includes the first use of the word Alleluia since the beginning of Lent as well as the first Eucharist of Easter. The Easter Vigil is celebrated by the use of a wax candle which is inscribed with a cross. The letters alpha and omega are inscribed at the top and bottom and the four numbers representing the current year are inscribed above and below the cross arms. Five grains representing the wounds of Christ are sometimes pushed into the soft wax. In the early church this was always the time to baptize the converts who had been learning about Christianity during Lent. At the Great vigil of Easter we pass with Christ from death to life, and with the church from Lent to Easter.