The Great Vigil of Easter is the most significant liturgy of the Christian year and is the culmination of the Triduum—the Sacred Three Days. The service usually begins in total darkness. This year we will hold the Great Vigil at 3 p.m. All are welcome!
The church is slowly illuminated by candles of the faithful as we observe the Paschal Mystery—the passage from darkness into light, from death into life—told through ancient texts, scriptural readings, and sacred music, telling of God's saving actions through history.
Into this story, we sometimes baptize people into the household of God during this service, as we who witness this Sacrament reaffirm our own baptismal vows. The great moment of this service is the celebration of the First Eucharist of the Resurrection, gloriously announced with Alleluias. The Paschal Candle burns as a sign of the presence of the resurrected Christ and will burn throughout the Easter season, known as the Great Fifty Days.
(This description adapted from the Washington National Cathedral.)