The Easter Vigil, also called the Paschal Vigil, the Great Vigil of Easter, or Holy Saturday in the Easter Vigil on the Holy Night of Easter is a liturgy held in traditional Christian churches as the first official celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus. Historically, it is during this liturgy that people are baptized and that adult catechumens are received into full communion with the Church. It is held in the hours of darkness between sunset on Holy Saturday and sunrise on Easter Day – most commonly in the evening of Holy Saturday or midnight – and is the first celebration of Easter, days traditionally being considered to begin at sunset.
Blessing of the Easter fire in Batangas, Philippines
Lighting of a paschal candle in Mexico City
In some churches, during the singing of the Gloria, the image of the Risen Christ is processed into the church.
A Lutheran deacon with an Easter candle
Christian liturgy is a pattern for worship used by a Christian congregation or denomination on a regular basis. The term liturgy comes from Greek and means "public work". Within Christianity, liturgies descending from the same region, denomination, or culture are described as ritual families.
Scripture readings at Gereja Santa, Indonesia
Congregants attend the Divine Service in a Dutch Reformed Church, Doornspijk
