On this most holy night, in which our Lord Jesus passes over from death to life,” we celebrate the most ancient of all of these services, the Great Vigil of Easter. Exiting slowly from darkness into the brilliant light of the resurrection, we experience anew the victory over the powers of darkness that is ours in the Light of Christ.  In the early church, this was the traditional time for baptizing new Christians, symbolizing their passage from an old life of sin to new life in the Risen Christ. 

The service begins in darkness with the kindling of new fire and the lighting and procession of the Paschal Candle. Chanting of Psalms and readings from scripture in candlelight recall God’s acts in history beginning from the creation. Then, with sudden bursts of light, shouts of “Alleluia,” bells, hymns and anthems, the Resurrection is proclaimed and the first Eucharist of Easter is celebrated.  

The Rites of Christian Initiation takes place as members of the Cathedral congregation and others from around the Diocese  are baptized, confirmed, received or reaffirmed into The Episcopal Church. 

The Cathedral Singers will be joined by the Chancel Choir of the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas

Anthems:

Sweet Jesus - African American Spiritual

Love Lifted Me - African American Spiritual, arr. Michael Perry

Postlude:

Finale From Symphony VI - Charles-Marie Widor