Easter Vigil

A Brief Easter Vigil Litany

Beloved in the Lord, on this most holy night, in which our Lord Jesus passed over from death to life, we are gathered here in vigil and prayer. This is the Passover of the Lord in which, by hearing His Word and celebrating His Sacraments, we share in His victory over death. 

In this most holy night our Savior, Christ, the Lord, broke the power of death and by His Resurrection brought life and salvation to all creation. Let us praise the Lord, for He truly keeps His Word. The sun of righteousness has dawned upon us who have sat in darkness and in the shadow of death. 

Rejoice now, all you heavenly choirs of angels; rejoice now, all creation; sound forth, trumpet of salvation, and proclaim the triumph of our King. Rejoice too, all the earth, in the radiance of the light now poured upon you and made brilliant by the brightness of the Everlasting King; know that the ancient darkness has been forever banished. Rejoice, O Church of Christ, clothed in the brightness of this light; let all this house of God ring out with rejoicing, with the praises of all God’s faithful people. 

On this holiest of nights the whole Church of our Lord Jesus Christ recalls His death and burial, rejoicing with great joy in the Gospel of His glorious and mighty resurrection from the dead. The Apostle Paul says: 

»Do you not know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through Baptism into death in order that just as Christ was raised through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with Him in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be rendered powerless, that we should no longer be slaves to sin because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over Him. The death He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life He lives, He lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.«  Romans 6,3-11 

Homily

✠ One Message: Christ crucified and risen for you ✠

Let no one mourn their transgressions, 

Isaiah 14,9 2216

Osternacht  033 

Ludger, Bishop of Münster, Germany, ✠ 809  

26. März 2016 

1. One of the last actions undertaken on Karfreitag is recorded in the Gospel according to St. Mark: »And Joseph of Arimathea bought a linen shroud, and taking Jesus down, wrapped Him in the linen shroud and placed Him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. and he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb« (Mark 15,46). St. Mark tells us that Jesus now rested from His labors on the seventh day. 

2. Hades received a visitor shortly after the stone had been rolled in place, and Hades trembled when Christ knocked upon its gates. Jesus had promised: »The gates of Hades shall not prevail against the confession of the Name of Jesus« (Matthew 16,18). Hades was now in fear. 

3. St. John Chrysostom in his famous Paschal homily proclaims: „Let no one fear death, for the Savior’s death has set us free. He that was taken by death has annihilated it! He descended into Hades and took Hades captive! He embittered it when it tasted His flesh! And anticipating this, Isaiah exclaimed: Hades was embittered when it encountered Thee in the lower regions (Isaiah 14,9). Hades was embittered, for it was abolished! It was embittered, for it was mocked! It was embittered, for it was purged! It was embittered, for it was despoiled! It was embittered, for it was bound in chains! It took a body and came upon God! It took earth and encountered Ηeaven! It took what it saw, but crumbled before what it had not seen!“ 

4. Christ has died. He slept in His own grave. He descended to Hell. Christ rose from the dead. His grave is empty. He ascended from Hell and left His tomb at Easter sunrise. The gates of Hades have been unlocked and torn open. Jesus is the Greater Samson who has carried upon His shoulders the twisted gates of Hades (Judges 16,3). Jesus holds the keys of Death and Hades (Revelation 1,18). 

5. Karfreitag ends with the Son of God dead and the darkness of sunset across the land. Easter morn dawns with the rising of the Bright Morning Star, and Jesus shines forth as the Resurrected Light of the world! Fear not Death nor Hades, for your Savior has conquered His foes. 

6. Again the blessed Chrysostom: „O death, where is thy sting? O Hades, where is thy victory? Christ is risen, and you are overthrown! Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen! Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice! Christ is risen, and life reigns! Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in a tomb! For Christ, being raised from the dead, has become the first-fruits of them that have slept. To Him be glory and might unto the ages of ages.“ 

7. Lift up your heads, for your Sleeper has awakened. Christ has risen and He brings with Him a train of captives set free from sin, death and the devil. We rejoice with the psalmist: »For with You, O Lord, is the fountain of life; in Your Light do we see light« (Psalm 36,9). The Easter Vigil is almost over, and our single candle flame shall be surpassed by the Glory of the Light of the Risen Christ.  Amen. 

for pardon has dawned from the grave.

To God alone be the Glory 

Soli Deo Gloria

✠

Prayer 

O God, for our redemption You gave Your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross and by His glorious resurrection delivered us from the power of the enemy. Grant that all our sin may be drowned through daily repentance and that day by day we may arise to live before You in righteousness and purity forever; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.