Holy Saturday 2023: History, Meaning, Feast, Facts and Importance of Easter Vigil

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Last Update: April 08, 2023, 00:15 IST

The Easter Vigil, the most important ritual of the year for many Christians, is held on Holy Saturday. (Getty Images)

Holy Saturday 2023: The history of Holy Saturday begins in the early Christian era, when it was celebrated as a day of mourning and reflection as the body of Jesus Christ lay in the tomb.

Holy Saturday 2023: Holy Saturday, also known as Easter Eve or Black Saturday, is the last day of Holy Week and comes the day before Easter Sunday. The day is of great importance to Christians around the world as it is the day when the body of Jesus Christ was placed in the tomb after his crucifixion on Good Friday.

Holy Saturday was observed by fasting, and Christians would gather in the evening to participate in a vigil that ended with a celebration of the Resurrection. (Image: shutterstock)

On Holy Saturday, many Christians celebrate the Easter Vigil, the most important religious event of the year for them. During this jagran, people pray, read passages from religious texts and seek blessings. It represents the hope of new beginnings and the victory of good over evil.

Holy Saturday 2023: History

The history of Holy Saturday dates back to the beginning of the Christian era, when it was celebrated as a day of mourning and reflection as the body of Jesus Christ lay in the tomb. This day was also considered a time of anticipation of the resurrection of Christ. Holy Saturday was observed by fasting, and Christians gathered in the evening to participate in a vigil that ended with the celebration of the Resurrection.

Holy Saturday 2023: Meaning

Holy Saturday is important because it is associated with the resurrection of Christ. According to Christian belief, on Holy Saturday the body of Jesus was placed in the tomb, and his followers were left in a state of sorrow and confusion. The Easter Vigil, which is held on Holy Saturday, represents hope for new life and the triumph of light over darkness. The vigil is a time of prayer and reflection, where Christians gather to celebrate the resurrection of Christ and the promise of salvation.

Holy Saturday 2023: Lent

Different types of Christians celebrate Holy Saturday in different ways. In the Catholic Church, Holy Saturday is observed as a day of mourning and reflection, and the altar is left empty until the start of the Easter Vigil. But in many Protestant churches, Holy Saturday is part of the Easter Sunday celebrations. The Easter Vigil, the most important ritual of the year for many Christians, is held on Holy Saturday. The vigil is a time of prayer, reading, and blessings, and it ends in celebration of the resurrection.

Holy Saturday 2023: The facts

  1. Holy Saturday is also known as Black Saturday due to its association with mourning and reflection.
  2. In some churches, Holy Saturday is known as Great Sabbath, and is observed with a vigil that begins on Friday evening and continues until midnight on Saturday.
  3. The Easter Vigil was originally held at dawn on Sunday, but was later moved to Saturday evening to coincide with the Jewish Sabbath.

Importance of Easter Vigil

For many Christians, the Easter Vigil is one of the most important rituals of the year, symbolizing the hope of new life and the triumph of light over darkness. It is a time of prayer, reading, and blessings, and it ends with a celebration of Christ’s resurrection.

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