2. "He descended into hell." The true human that he is, Jesus is in the abode of the dead, hell or Hades in Greek, Sheol in Hebrew. But his presence there is good news to all the just whom he frees so that they may have a vision of God. Even in the place of the dead, he proclaims the Good News of salvation.
3. "On the third day he rose from the dead." Sunset of Holy Saturday starts the 3rd day and final day of the Holy Triduum. We reach the climax of whole three days, the day of the Resurrection. The Easter Vigil is one of the oldest Christian celebrations, dating back to the mid-2nd century. In the 3rd and 4th centuries, it was the occasion for the baptism of catechumens.
4. The rite should begin after nightfall. It is very rich in meaning and quite complex. It is divided into 4 parts: Service of Light; Liturgy of the Word; Baptismal Liturgy; Liturgy of the Eucharist
5. 1st Part, Service of Light -- It is held in complete darkness outside the church. The paschal candle is blessed and lit from a new fire. It is then carried in procession into the church. The procession stops three times for the intoning of "Light of Christ." The people respond: "Thanks be to God!" The people have their candles lit.
6. The paschal candle is placed in the sanctuary and the Easter Proclamation, Exsultet, is chanted. This beautiful chant in honor of Christ, the Light of the World, goes back to the 7th century. The original Latin melody has now been replaced by musical chants in different languages. A popular version in the Philippines is that of the Jesuit Fr. Manoling Francisco. The people hold their lit candles during the chant.
7. 2nd Part, Liturgy of the Word -- Seven Readings from the Old Testament are read. However, the readings may be reduced, but the reading from Exodus, Ex. 14, the passage through the Red Sea, must be read. The Readings underline the vigil nature of the evening. We are waiting in prayer for the Resurrection.
8. After the last Reading, the Gloria is sung with the ringing of bells and the altar candles are lit. The liturgy continues as usual with the Collect.
9. 1st Reading, Rom. 6:3-11 -- Paul teaches the Romans, and us, that when we are baptized , we are baptized into the death of Christ. We are buried with him through baptism of death. "Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life" (vv. 2-4). "We shall be united with him in the resurrection" (v. 5). Our old self was crucified with him, and so we are no longer slaves to sin (v. 6). "If we have died with Christ, we shall also live with him (v. 8). Because Christ rise from dead, death no longer has any power over him. He lives for God (vv. 9-10). We must think of ourselves as "being dead to sin and living for God in Jesus Christ" (v. 11).
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