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Orthodox Holy Saturday
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Many Orthodox Christians in Canada remember Jesus Christ’s burial and his descent into Hades on Holy Saturday.
Orthodox Holy Saturday in Canada
Orthodox Holy Saturday, also known as Great Saturday, is observed by the Eastern Orthodox Christian community in Canada. This day falls on the Saturday before Orthodox Easter Sunday and is regarded as a day of watchful expectation, as the faithful await the Resurrection of Jesus.
History and Traditions:
History: The tradition dates back to early Christianity when followers would keep vigil, believing that Christ would return from the dead.
Nocturns: It begins with a service called Nocturns typically held late on Friday evening. It commemorates Jesus' burial and his descent into Hades.
Midnight Office: Some churches hold a Midnight Office where hymns of lamentation are sung.
Vesperal Liturgy: On Saturday morning, there is often a Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil combined with Vespers, which includes readings from the Old Testament foreshadowing the Resurrection.
Blessing of Baskets: In anticipation of Easter, baskets filled with foods that have been abstained from during Lent are often blessed at church.
What People Do:
Many Orthodox Christians in Canada engage in last-minute preparations for Easter during Holy Saturday.
They may attend church services to commemorate the events between Jesus' crucifixion and his resurrection.
Decorating Easter eggs is a common tradition; these are often dyed red to symbolize the blood of Christ.
Families prepare an "Easter basket" with items like eggs, bread, and meat which will be blessed at church and eaten after the midnight resurrection service or on Easter day.
The faithful generally maintain a solemn and reflective mood throughout the day but look forward to celebrating after midnight when Pascha (Easter) begins.
Holy Saturday services tend to be well attended in areas with significant Orthodox Christian populations. As with many religious observances in Canada's multicultural society, it is respected across various communities even though participation may vary widely depending on regional demographics and individual faith adherence.
