“Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live…” (NRSV, John 11:25)

The Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ were not commemorated separately by the Christian Church until 300 years after their occurrence.  Instead, one great festival was held each year near the time of the Jewish Passover, beginning late on what we now call Holy Saturday and continuing through the night until the early hours of Easter Day.

It combined everything that we associate with Good Friday and Easter, and it commemorated the whole drama of salvation which crowned Our Lord’s earthly mission, a Feast of Christ “…who died, yes, who was raised from the dead…” (RSV, Romans 8:34), who laid down his life that he might take it again (John 10:17).