Holy Saturday—What is it?

TL;DR:

Holy Saturday is the day after Good Friday and before Easter. Churches that celebrate it reflect on the darkness of the world had Jesus never been resurrected.

Holy Saturday, the day between Good Friday and Easter, commemorates the period when Jesus lay in the tomb after His crucifixion, highlighting the darkness and despair that would have engulfed the world had He not risen. Biblical accounts, such as Matthew 27:62–66, describe the chief priests and Pharisees securing the tomb, though Scripture does not detail the actions of Jesus’ followers that day, as it coincided with the Sabbath. Historically, Holy Saturday is observed most notably in Catholic, Anglican, and Orthodox traditions, with varying practices—from austere services and limited sacraments in the West to the Orthodox belief that Christ released Old Testament saints from the realm of the dead. The day serves as a solemn reflection on the disciples’ fear and uncertainty and invites Christians to meditate on the darkness of life apart from Christ. While celebrating Holy Saturday can deepen the appreciation of Easter, the Bible does not mandate special observance, leaving each believer free to reflect in a way that strengthens personal faith.

from the old testament

Holy Saturday and the events surrounding it are not mentioned in the Old Testament.

from the new testament

The events of the day before Jesus' resurrection are given in Matthew 27:62–66: “The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, ‘Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, “After three days I will rise.” Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, “He has risen from the dead,” and the last fraud will be worse than the first.’ Pilate said to them, ‘You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.’ So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.”
The Bible does not state what Jesus' followers did on the day before His resurrection. It was the Sabbath, so they could not have traveled, and the women did not go to His tomb until the next morning.

implications for today

As with other extra-Easter festivities, Holy Saturday is mostly observed by Catholics and Anglicans. The "celebration" in the West is very austere, however. Sacraments are limited, often only given to the dying. Masses are rare. In Orthodox churches, the day is known as Holy and Great Saturday or Joyous Saturday. They believe this is the day that Christ released the saved from the Old Testament from hell and brought them to heaven (an unbiblical belief). Orthodox churches also call the day the Great Sabbath, as it is the day Jesus rested in the tomb.

There is nothing wrong with celebrating Holy Saturday as such. It is fine to contemplate how the disciples must have felt—fearful, not knowing that their Savior would rise the next day. It is also fine to consider how dark our own world would be apart from Christ. Like Easter and the other "holy days" surrounding it, the Bible does not require that we do anything special. As Paul said in Romans 14:5, "One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind."

understand

Holy Saturday is the day Jesus lay in the tomb, between Good Friday and Easter, highlighting life without His resurrection.
The Bible notes the tomb was secured but gives no other details about His followers’ actions on the Saturday before His resurrection.
The Bible does not require celebrating Holy Saturday, leaving personal reflection up to each believer.

reflect

How does meditating on the silence and darkness of Holy Saturday deepen your appreciation for Jesus’ resurrection?
How does contemplating life without Christ challenge the way you live and trust in Him?
How could you use Holy Saturday to reflect on moments of uncertainty or waiting in your own life and draw closer to God?

engage

How do different Christian traditions observe Holy Saturday, and what can we learn from their practices?
What are some reasons why Scripture focuses more on the events leading up to and following Jesus’ death and resurrection, rather than the day in between?
How can reflecting on Holy Saturday help us better understand the disciples’ fear, hope, and trust in God?