The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

HOLY SATURDAY CUSTOM

SERVICES FOR HOLY SATURDAY ARE HELD AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT.
AT THIS TIME, ALL OF THE LIGHTS IN THE CHURCH ARE TURNED
OFF. THE PRIEST AND THE PARISHIONERS HAVE CANDLES. THE
PRIEST'S CANDLE IS LIT IN THE ALTAR IN THE CHURCH.
HERE THE PRIEST LIGHTS THE PARISHIONERS CANDLES UNTIL
ALL CANDLES ARE LIT. SONGS ARE THEN SUNG TO PROCLAIM
CHRIST'S RESSURECTION.

Submitter comment: THE RESSURECTION OF CHRIST ON HOLY SATURDAY EVENING IS
CELEBRATED IN THIS MANNER AT ALL OF THE GREEK ORTHODOX
CHURCHES IN THE WORLD. AFTER THE SERVICE IS OVER, THE
FAMILIES GO HOME WHERE HUGE MEALS OF SOUP, LAMB, BREAD,
WINE, RICE, AND OTHER ASSORTED GREEK DELICACIES ARE SERVED.
THIS IS A GREEK-AMERICAN CUSTOM.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights