What is an Easter Vigil?

TL;DR:

The Easter Vigil celebrates Jesus’ resurrection, moving believers from repentance to rejoicing, and reminds us of the new life we have in Christ. While its symbolic ceremonies can reflect biblical truths, baptism and communion should always be practiced according to Scripture, not as mere church traditions or initiation rites.

what does the bible say?

The Easter Vigil is a liturgical service that celebrates Jesus’ resurrection, moving believers from the solemnity of Lent to the joy of Easter. It begins with the Service of Light, where the Paschal Candle symbolizes Christ as the light of the world, followed by readings from Scripture and responsorial psalms that reflect God’s redemptive work (e.g., Psalm 16, 30, 104, 117). The Service of Baptism emphasizes that water baptism represents Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection (Matthew 3:3-17, 27:45-56; Mark 15:33-41; Luke 24:1-12). The Service of Communion reminds believers to proclaim Jesus’ death until His return (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; John 20:21-22). While many elements are rich in symbolism and biblical references, some practices—such as using baptism or communion as initiation rites—misrepresent their biblical meaning. The Easter Vigil serves as a transition from repentance to rejoicing, allowing congregants to reflect on Christ’s victory over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:54-57). Although the ceremonies are meaningful, salvation comes only through faith in Jesus, not the rituals themselves. Overall, the Vigil powerfully unites Scripture, tradition, and worship to celebrate new life in Christ and inspire believers to live in His light while proclaiming Jesus’ death and future return (1 Corinthians 11:26).

from the old testament

During the Service of Light processional of the Easter Vigil, the congregation walks together behind incense and the Paschal Candle in a darkened church, which is symbolic of Exodus 13:21–22: “And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.” Believers can appreciate the biblical context behind this passage and differentiate between God’s relationship to the Israelites and His relationship with us in the church age.
In the Easter Vigil’s Service of the Word, responsorial psalms such as Psalm 117 are often used for congregants to reply with “Alleujah.” This is the first exultant exclamation that congregants express since the start of Lent.

from the new testament

The Service of Light is the first service in the Easter Vigil, and the Paschal Candle that is lit represents Jesus as the “light of the world” (John 8:12).
After the processional during the Service of Lights service has passed, lights in the church are turned back on, at which point the Easter Proclamation (or Exsultet) is announced. This poetically highlights Jesus’ victory of salvation and inspires the joy we have in our reconciliation with God. Reconciliation is specifically talked about in Colossians 1:21-22, which states: “And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him…” Because of Jesus’ work on the cross, we can be reconciled to God, and this is something to celebrate.
After the Service of the Word has concluded, the Service of Baptism takes place, in which adults in the church who desire to be members are baptized. However, according to the Bible, water baptism represents Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12) and should be done as a public proclamation. Using it for some other purpose, including for Easter Vigil, misrepresents what biblical baptism should look like.
After baptisms take place for new members in the church, a Service of Communion takes place in which new members of the church reach their climax of initiation into the church. However, biblically, participation in the Lord's Supper is a symbolic memorial and forward-looking act in which believers "proclaim the Lord's death until he comes" (1 Corinthians 11:26). Ingesting the elements does not accomplish a spiritual reality but rather demonstrates it physically, and it should only be taken within the correct context and with the understanding of its biblical purpose.

implications for today

An Easter Vigil is a church service in highly liturgical churches—like Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, Methodist, Reformed, and Eastern Orthodox—that marks Jesus' passage from death to life. The service begins after sundown on Holy Saturday (sometimes beginning at midnight) and ends before daybreak on Easter Sunday. Because it commemorates Jesus' resurrection and is the culmination of the season of Lent, the Easter Vigil is considered the most important service of the liturgical year. These services can vary slightly among denominations, but they all follow the same pattern. The liturgy consists of four parts: the Service of Lights, the Service of the Word, the Service of Baptism, and the Service of Communion. Due to these elements, this service runs much longer than those churches' typical services usually last.

The Easter Vigil begins with the Service of Light where the congregation typically gathers around a fire outside, where a large candle (the Paschal Candle) is lit. This candle represents that Jesus is the light of the world, rising in glory, to scatter the darkness of our hearts and minds. The candle will be lit on each Sunday until Pentecost Sunday. Incense is also lit and the congregation walks in procession behind the incense and Paschal Candle into the darkened church. This procession represents how these Christians now follow the risen Christ like the Israelites followed God as a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21–22). The lights of the church are then turned on and the Easter Proclamation (also known as the Exsultet) is announced. This poetic text points to Christ's victory over evil, deliverance from sin, and the joy of reconciliation with God.

After this proclamation about salvation, the Service of the Word (also called Lessons) begins. During the Service of the Word, usually seven (but can be as few as three or as many as twelve) passages of Old Testament scripture are read along with two passages of New Testament scripture (one from an epistle and one from a gospel). After each reading, there is also a responsorial psalm (often Psalm 117) where the congregation responds with "Alleluia." Following these numerous readings is a time of silence before prayers are said. Finally, the homily (or sermon) is preached, which concludes the Service of the Word.

Following the Service of the Word, the Service of Baptism takes place. At this time, adult congregants who want to officially join the church are baptized and confirmed, welcoming them as new members in the congregation. Even if there are no candidates for baptism, the water is blessed and this section of the Vigil remains an integral part of the service.

Following baptism is the Service of Communion (also called Eucharist) when new members partake of the Lord's Supper for the first time along with the other members of the church. After taking communion a solemn blessing is pronounced and the Easter Vigil is finally concluded.

With these ceremonial elements, church-goers have recalled Jesus' resurrection and the effects His death and resurrection can have in the lives of those who place their faith in Him. These types of services can be beautiful and full of meaning for many believers, but these rites, rituals, and ceremonial traditions do not provide salvation. We are saved by God's grace alone through faith alone (Ephesians 2:1–10; cf. Ephesians 1:3–14; John 3:16–18).

understand

The Easter Vigil celebrates Jesus’ resurrection, moving believers from Lent’s solemnity to Easter joy.
Symbolic elements of an Easter Vigil like the Paschal Candle, Scripture readings, baptism, and communion can reflect biblical truths when practiced correctly.
The Easter Vigil reminds believers that salvation is through faith in Jesus alone and calls them to live in His light while proclaiming His death and return.

reflect

How do you move from reflecting on your sin to rejoicing in Christ’s resurrection?
How do you ensure your participation in baptism and communion aligns with God’s Word rather than tradition?
How can the symbolism of Christ as the light of the world inspire the way you live and share your faith?

engage

How can the symbolic elements of the Easter Vigil—like the Paschal Candle and Scripture readings—enhance our understanding of Jesus’ resurrection?
What are the potential dangers of practicing the elements of an Easter Vigil like baptism or communion as mere church traditions, and how can we guard against doing so?
How can reflection during Easter inspire us to live as a light in a world still in darkness?