the great vigil of easter: in sight and sound

Arguably one of the most ancient Christian services still carried out in modern times, it is almost more exciting and meaningful than the Sunday morning Easter service most have grown up with. The night of the Great Vigil of Easter commemorates the night when Christ broke the bonds of death and rose victorious from the grave. On this night, we hear the ancient stories of God's redeeming work, moving from darkness to light, from solemn chant to joyful song, as we celebrate the glorious Resurrection. It is on this night that my home church (Trinity Episcopal Church and neighboring church, Emmanuel Episcopal Church), join countless other communities around the world as we receive the sacrament of Holy Baptism and renew the baptismal vows. Without a doubt, this is the holiest night of the Christian year as God in Christ invites us into new life.

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The Rev. Shelby Ochs Owen gathers the people around the brazier in the churchyard to prepare to light the Paschal fire.

DEAR friends in Christ: On this most holy night, in which our Lord Jesus passed over from death to life, the Church invites her members, dispersed throughout the world, to gather in vigil and prayer. For this is the Passover of the Lord, in which, by hearing his Word and celebrating his Sacraments, we share in his victory over death.

 
Let us pray.
 
O God, through your Son you have bestowed upon your people the brightness of your light: Sanctify this new fire, and grant that in this Paschal feast we may so burn with heavenly desires, that with pure minds we may attain to the festival of everlasting light; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 

The Lighting and Blessing of the New Fire

(turn your sound all the way up and follow along with the above blessing!)

 

Following the Paschal Candle that was lit from the blessed New Fire and the swinging incense, we walked through the doors of Emmanuel and were greeted by blackness. Processing around the church still following the clergy to occasional chants of, 'The light of Christ. Thanks be to God.', the bleak effects of Good Friday still weighed heavily on the hearts of all those gathered. As we finally took our seats, the light from the single Paschal candle was distributed to scores of tiny candles that each one of us held. The dimly lit sanctuary's walls seemed to dance about faintly as the Exsultet began. For in this ancient chant, the Church gives thanks and praise to God for all that is recalled this night: Adam's fall, the deliverance from Egypt, the Passover of Christ, the wedding of earth and heaven, our reconciliation.
 
Exert from the Exsultet ____
 
It is truly right and good, always and everywhere, with our whole heart and mind and voice, to praise you, the invisible, almighty, and eternal God, and your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord; for he is the true Paschal Lamb, who at the feast of the Passover paid for us the debt of Adam's sin, and by his blood delivered your faithful people.
 
This is the night, when you brought our fathers, the children of Israel, out of bondage in Egypt, and led them through the Red Sea on dry land.
 

The Rev. Dr. Paul S. Nancarrow chants the Exsultet

This is the night, when all who believe in Christ are delivered from the gloom of sin, and are restored to grace and holiness of life.

 
This is the night, when Christ broke the bonds of death and hell, and rose victorious from the grave.
 
How wonderful and beyond our knowing, O God, is your mercy and loving-kindness to us, that to redeem a slave, you gave a Son.
 
How holy is this night, when wickedness is put to flight, and sin is washed away. It restores innocence to the fallen, and joy to those who mourn. It casts out pride and hatred, and brings peace and concord.
 
How blessed is this night, when earth and heaven are joined and man is reconciled to God.
 
Holy Father, accept our evening sacrifice, the offering of this candle in your honor. May it shine continually to drive away all darkness. May Christ, the Morning Star who knows no setting, find it ever burning--he who gives his light to all creation, and who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

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The Rev. Dr. Nancarrow and The Rev. Owen begin each new Lesson with a Collect

Next comes the Liturgy of the Word. Where those gathered hear the record of God's saving deeds in history, how he saved his people in ages past (the story of creation, Israel's deliverance at the Red Sea, the Gifts of Wisdom - Proverbs 8:1-8, 19-21; 9:4b-6 - and a new heart and a new spirit - Ezekiel 36:24-28) interspersed with chanted Psalms, canticles, and hymns.

 

The combined choirs of Trinity and Emmanuel chant the Psalms and canticles

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Ending this part of the service with a solemn hymn, the congregation, led again by the Paschal candle, swinging incense, priests, and choirs, went in procession from Emmanuel to Trinity. Still carrying our handheld candles, the procession symbolizes the light of Christ going forth into the world. Like lightened buoys bobbing on a calm ocean, the lighted candles made their way down the darkened, quiet streets of downtown Staunton helped along the way by the Staunton Police Department up to the doors of Trinity Church...
 

 

 

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The Paschal Candle was then placed in the front of Trinity by the baptismal font. On this most holy night, in which our Lord passed over from death to life, we baptized into his fellowship those who came to him in faith and renewed our own baptismal vows as well.

 

Exert from the Renewal of Baptismal Vows ____

 

ON this most Holy Night, let us now pray for all those everywhere who are to receive the Sacrament of new birth and for ourselves as we prepare to renew our own baptismal vows....GRANT, O Lord, that we may find our inheritance with the Blessed Virgin Mary, with patriarchs, matriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs, and all the saints; and we pray that, encouraged by their examples, aided by their prayers, and strengthened by their fellowship, we also may be partakers of the eternal life of the saints in light, through the merits of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

The Rev. Dr. Nancarrow and The Rev. Owen lead the congregation in the renewal of baptismal vows

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At the moment the last concluding prayer of the baptismal portion of the service is completed, the darkness that has enveloped the church since the mourning period of Good Friday is ripped away with a flourish. Light shatters into the filled sanctuary and the altar, which had been stripped bear - all adornments and decorations removed - because of the sorrow of Good Friday, has it itself been resurrected to its former glory to bring in the resurrected Christ. The organ bellows out a triumphal and gloriously deafening fanfare, the bells peal out their ringing, and we are all reminded that Christ has now passed from death into life. The priest, with arms outstretched, then cries out the word that has been hidden since Ash Wednesday over forty long days ago...

 

 

ALLELUIA! Christ is risen. The Lord is risen indeed. ALLELUIA!

 

O God, who made this most holy night to shine with the glory of the Lord's resurrection: Stir up in your Church that Spirit of adoption which is given to us in Baptism, that we, being renewed both in body and mind, may worship you in  sincerity and truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 

THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS IS ANNOUNCED

"AFTER the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.' So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, 'Greetings!' And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, 'Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.' "

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From here, the service progresses forward as normal - only with a flare and rejuvenating intensity only found on being witness to the first moments of Easter. It then concludes with the first great Holy Eucharist of the festal season of Eastertide - fifty days of Easter joy and celebration lay before us until Pentecost Sunday.



The Consecration of the Bread and Wine

 

Lord, we pray that in your goodness and mercy your Holy Spirit may descend upon us, and upon these gifts, sanctifying them and showing them to be holy gifts for your holy people, the bread of life and the cup of salvation, the Body and Blood of your Son Jesus Christ.



 

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THE EASTER BLESSING

 

MAY Almighty God, who has redeemed us and made us his children through the resurrection of his Son our Lord, bestow upon you the riches of his blessing. Amen.

 

MAY God, who through the water of baptism has raised us from sin into newness of life, make you holy and worthy to be united with Christ for ever. Amen.

 

MAY God, who has brought us out of bondage to sin into true and lasting freedom in the Redeemer, bring you to your eternal inheritance. Amen.

 

AND the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, an the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you for ever. Amen.

 

LET US GO FORTH IN THE NAME OF CHRIST. ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA!

THANKS BE TO GOD, ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA!