Holy Saturday Evening
Resources for families and kids »
Service before the Resurrection
Read along with the service (Part 1) »
Matins/Come Receive the Light
Read along with the service (Part 2) »
Divine Liturgy
Read along with the service (Part 3) »
Explanation of the Service
by Rev. Demetrios George Kalaris
In the service prior to the proclamation of the Resurrection, the Church laments the Crucifixion of Christ and His descent into Hades by repeating the canon of Holy Saturday.
At midnight, all the lights in the church are extinguished and the hymn, “Behold the dawn and rise of day,” is chanted in total darkness. This matins troparion speaks of the myrrh-bearing women who first discovered the empty tomb early that first Easter morn.
After this hymn, the Royal Gates of the Iconostasion are opened and the priest comes forth with lighted candles in hand, chanting: “Come ye, take light from the light that never wanes. Come, glorify the Christ, risen from the dead.”
At this point, the light is distributed to the congregation’s candles. After this takes place, the priest carrying the Gospel and the Labaron (Banner) of the Resurrection, goes forth in solemn litany to the narthex of the church chanting, “Thy Resurrection, O Savior, angels sing in the heavens; make us also on earth worthy to glorify Thee with pure hearts.”
In the center of the narthex, the priest begins the matins service. The Gospel, relating the story of the myrrh- bearing women, is read and' the troparion Christos Anesti is chanted many times, accompanied by appropriate verses of the Old Testament. After the triumphant hymn of the Christos Anesti, the beautiful and stirring hymns of the Resurrection written by St. John of Damascus are chanted.
The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom follows, at the close of which the eloquent Easter sermon of St. John Chrysostom is read by the celebrant. The Gospel lesson from St. John the Divine does not tell of the Resurrection but of the pre-eternal birth of Christ from God the Father and of
His divinity, manifested by His Resurrection.
Hymns for this service
RESURRECTION SERVICE RESPONSE
Come Receive the Light
Listen to the Hymn in English and Greek (mp3) »
Sheet Music
Western Notation
English (PDF) »
Greek (PDF) »
Byzantine Notation
English (PDF) »
Greek (PDF) »
TROPARION OF PASCHA
Christ is Risen
Listen to the Hymn in English and Greek (mp3) »
Sheet Music
Western Notation
English (PDF) »
Greek (PDF) »
Byzantine Notation
English (PDF) »
Greek (PDF) »
Gospel Reading
Mark 16:1-8
When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint Jesus. And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?" And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back, for it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you." And they went out and fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to any one, for they were afraid.