Great Vigil of Easter
Christ Church Cathedral's Innovative and Uplifting Liturgy
Randy Murray
April 25, 2019
Please find above a selection of photos from THE GREAT VIGIL OF EASTER, the first of three morning liturgies celebrated at Christ Church Cathedral on Easter Sunday, April 21.
Worship began at 5:30am. The liturgy has five sections and takes place in three locations: the chancel; the Hillman Garden located on the west side of the church adjacent to Burrard Street, the nave and chancel entrance platform.
A feature of the opening section "Liturgy of the Word" which took place in the chancel were the warps, hand spun by parishioners of St. Brigid's (the Sunday afternoon congregation at CCC) and suspended over the altar. Inspired by Debra Sparrow’s (Debra is a Musqueam weaver and currently in-residence at CCC) blankets, it will hang above the CCC altar until June or July.
The images show detail of the Cathedral's "Indigo Quilts" on display in the parish hall.
Archbishop Melissa Skelton presided at the Lighting of the First Fire of Easter; the Renewal of Baptismal Vows and the Eucharist.
Preacher for the Great Vigil of Easter, the Reverend Canon Dr. Martin Brokenleg. Canon Brokenleg's sermon is available here: https://thecathedral.ca/
The liturgical production was designed and directed by Thomas Roach, ODNW.
The video included with this post is the last verse of the Closing Hymn "Jesus Christ is Risen Today", the Dismissal, the Procession and enthusiastic bell ringing in concert with the ringing of the Cathedral's bells in the bell tower.
IMAGES
- The Eucharistic Prayer. The Celebration of the Eucharist is the fifth section of the Great Vigil of Easter liturgy.
- At 5:20am the chancel of Christ Church Cathedral fills up with worshippers in anticipation of the first section of the Great Vigil of Easter, "Liturgy of the Word"
- Members of Cathedral Choir under the direction of Rupert Lang gather in the east side chancel gallery to begin the music in worship with "Thuma Mina".
- The first reader, Hope Sealy, ODNW. Genesis 1: 1-2:4a
- Rear chancel POV of Hope Sealy reading Genesis 1: 1-2:4a
- Archbishop Skelton reads the Collect
- Roderick Mackin, the second reader, Genesis 7: 1-5, 11-18, 8:6-18, 9:8-13
- Winnie Nowell with the third reading, Exodus 14:10-31, 15: 20-21
- Image projection on the warps
- Colin Miles with the fourth reading, Ezekiel 36: 24-28
- Donna Wong-Juliani with the fifth reading Proverbs 8: 1-8, 19-21, 9:4b-6
- One of the deacons for The Great Vigil of Easter, the Reverend Jeffrey Preiss prays the concluding collect of the Liturgy of the Word.
- Following the Liturgy of the Word, Thomas and James change the chancel set-up while the congregation is in the Hillman Garden outside the church on Burrard Street for "The Service of Light".
- The fire is lit, now to light the Paschal candle.
- The Reverend Jeffrey Preiss raises the candle as Kerry Baisley, ODNW, Archbishop's Chaplain looks on.
- The Dean and Rector of Christ Church Cathedral, the Very Reverend Peter Elliott directs the procession and the congregation back into the sanctuary for the next section of The Service of Light.
- The procession of the Paschal Candle.
- The congregation returns to the sanctuary for the next section of The Service of Light.
- The congregation and choir with candles lit as the Service of Light continues in the sanctuary.
- The Collect
- Server, Richard MacAlpine reads Romans 6: 3-11
- Censing the ambo prior to proclaiming the Gospel.
- Deacon of the Word and Table, the Reverend Alisdair Smith proclaims the Gospel: John 20: 1-18
- Preacher for the Great Vigil of Easter, the Reverend Canon Dr. Martin Brokenleg.
- Archbishop Skelton leads the Renewal of Baptismal Vows.
- All are invited to the font to refresh themselves with holy water as a reminder of baptism.
- Cathedral Choir and Organist/Director of Music, Rupert Lang.
- Censing the altar and communion elements during the singing of the Offertory, "Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain".
Kingsway
Christ Church Cathedral