Anglican Christianity Expanded Observance: The Great Vigil of Easter
Saturday, April 11, 2009
This service of scripture readings, lighting of the paschal candle and the celebration of the Eucharist is the centerpiece of the Holy Week Triduum and marks the beginning of the Great Fifty Days of the Easter. The service begins with the lighting of candles from the paschal candle, a deacon’s singing of the Exhultet, and readings from the Old and New Testaments which address the salvation history of God’s people. These are followed by baptisms and the first Eucharist of the Easter season.
