The Easter Vigil at All Saints Anglican Church is the church’s most profound and dramatic act of worship, marking the passage from the darkness of Holy Saturday into the joy and light of Easter Day. Celebrated after nightfall, the Vigil gathers the faithful to watch and pray as the story of salvation is proclaimed and the resurrection of Christ is revealed.
The service begins outside in near darkness with the Lighting of the New Fire. From this fire the Paschal Candle—the great symbol of the risen Christ—is lit and carried in procession into the darkened Selwyn Church. As the candle advances, the ancient acclamation “The Light of Christ” rings out, and the light is shared among the congregation until the space glows with candlelight, a sign of Christ’s light overcoming darkness and death.
The Vigil then unfolds through an extended Liturgy of the Word, tracing God’s saving work from creation to new life in Christ. Readings from the Hebrew Scriptures—often including the creation story, the crossing of the Red Sea, and the promise of restoration—are interwoven with psalms, silence, and prayer.
At the heart of the night comes the renewal of baptismal faith. As the baptismal vows are reaffirmed, water is blessed and sprinkled among the people, recalling entry into Christ’s death and resurrection. This moment powerfully connects the congregation to the Easter mystery and the living identity of the Church.
With the triumphant proclamation of the Gospel of the Resurrection, the atmosphere shifts decisively from solemn watching to joy. Lights blaze and the church resounds with Alleluias sung for the first time since Lent began. The Easter sermon proclaims the risen Christ as the source of hope, reconciliation, and new creation.
The Vigil culminates in the Eucharist, the first celebration of Easter Day. At the altar, Christ’s risen presence is made known in the breaking of the bread and the sharing of the cup. The service concludes in joyful dismissal, sending the people out into the night as witnesses of the resurrection.
