Break Open the Word

The Resurrection of Our Lord - Easter Day, 31 March 2013 Acts 10:34-43    Or Isaiah 65:17-25 Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 I Corinthians 15:19-26    Or Acts 10:34-43 St. John 20:1-18    Or St. Luke 24:1-12 Background: Easter Day We owe to Easter Day the origination of the modern calendar.  Ancient church officials, concerned about determining the actual date of Easter Day pushed the reforms and observations that resulted in the calendar that we use on a daily basis.  The date of Christmas is a fixed date, based on the solar calendar, while the date for Easter is not fixed, depending on the lunar calendar.  Its attachment to the Hebrew Pesach (Passover) is more than liturgical or theological – determining the dates of these festivals have similar roots.  The date of Easter (the first Sunday after the Paschal Full Moon following the March equinox) was determined by the First Council of Nicaea in 325 CE.  The celebration is the center of the

The Great Vigil of Easter - 30 March 2013 At the Service of Readings: Genesis 1:1-2:4a Genesis 7:1-5, 11-18, 8:6-18, 9:8-13 Genesis 22:1-18 Exodus 14:10-31; 15:20-21 Isaiah 55:1-11 Baruch 3:9-15, 3:32-4:4    Or Proverbs 8:1-8, 19-21; 9:4b-6 Ezekiel 36:24-28 Exekiel 37:1-14 Zephaniah 3:14-20 At the Eucharist: Romans 6:3-11 Psalm 114 St. Luke 24:1-12 Background: The Great Vigil of Easter This stunning service with its various parts and dramatic use of light and reading was not always a part of the Anglican tradition, having been forgotten at the time of the Reformation.  It was recently restored to the tradition through the writings and restorations during the Tractarian movement in the 19 th Century.  The Vigil has four distinct parts: 1) The Service of Light during which a new fire is lit, the Paschal Candle is both blessed and lit, and the Exultet is sung by the Deacon.  2) The Service of Lessons from the Hebrew Scrip