The Great Vigil and the First Eucharist of Easter

This is simply the most important liturgy of the entire year. St.
Augustine, in the fourth century, said that this rite is so central that
all other celebrations of the Eucharist can be said to be the
repeatable parts of this rite. This is the Passover of the Lord, the
paschal feast of the people of God. We gather in the same darkened
church that was stripped, silent, bereft of fire and water of light and
hope. Light appears in a flash as the newly kindled fire lights the
Paschal Candle and then the candles of the people. “The Light of
Christ,” is sung as the Paschal Candle is brought into the darkened
church, and the people respond, “Thanks be to God”. Then, in
candlelight, we hear the church’s great hymn of Easter praise, the
Exsultet (which means “Rejoice!”).

We hear the history of our salvation in readings from the Hebrew
Scriptures, readings which touch on the themes of creation, water,
and the spirit by which the people of God gain their identity.
Through hearing these sacred stories we too will find ourselves deep
within them and know that we belong to God.

As the Officiant proclaims “Alleluia, Christ is risen!” the ancient
Paschal greeting, the first Eucharist of Easter begins. The Great
Paschal Alleluia is sung and this is the first Alleluia in the liturgy
since the Feast of the Transfiguration at the end of the season of
Epiphany. The altar candles are lit and bells are rung, celebrating
that Light has broken through the darkness and, in a flash of
incredulous recognition, we know the Risen Lord. Death and time
have both been broken, and it is and will always be the night, the
time when the truth of the Resurrection is alive and at work in the
world. We are most grateful for your presence and participation in
our service on this most holy night, so that we too may blaze with
the light of Christ and share in the holy work of illuminating any
darkness we may encounter.

Faithfully, Deacon Dina
(Deacon in Charge at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church)