The Great Vigil of Easter - It was and is the most important Easter celebration.​

Come to the Great Vigil of Easter!

If there is one liturgy you have never experienced,

I urge you to be a part of the "Great Vigil" of Easter... a candlelight service...

on Holy Saturday (April 15), from 8:00 PM to about 9:30 PM.

at the Church of the Epiphany, Episcopal, 196 Main Street, Durham.

IT IS A STUNNING WORSHIP EXPERIENCE!

We will meet in a darkened Bishop Williams' Room at Church of the Epiphany. We will light the Paschal candle...sing the Exultet (in praise of light)...read three or four Old Testament lessons...including the story of creation...the delivery from slavery to freedom through the Red Sea...the valley of dry bones; a story of resurrection (new life)...and the vision of a new community. Then we will renew our baptismal vows...proclaim "Christ is Risen"...and celebrate the first Eucharist (Holy Communion) of Easter.

We will do this totally by candlelight. I truly look forward to doing this with members of Epiphany AND of our broader community.

The Great Vigil of Easter is an early (2nd century) liturgy. It was created as the first liturgy of Easter, and was done by candlelight. Ten of the great salvation stories from the Old Testament were read. Persons were baptized. Catechumens (Christian converts under instruction, before baptism) were received into the praying community. "Alleluia" was resurrected after being (literally and figuratively) buried on Shrove Tuesday (the beginning of Lent) and the first Easter Eucharist was celebrated.

When we think of Easter, we usually think of a bright, celebrative Sunday morning service, but, in fact, the Great Vigil, held in the dark, was and is the most important Easter celebration.

Please join us for this meaningful and moving service!