The Easter Proclamation - The Exsultet

“Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing, choirs of angels! Jesus Christ our King is risen!”

The Easter Vigil begins with the "Service of Light.” Following the lighting of the new fire and the procession of the Paschal Candle, an ancient hymn of triumph and rejoicing, the “Exsultet,” or “Easter Proclamation,” is sung. The Easter Vigil marks the end of the emptiness of Saturday following Holy Week, and leads into the celebration of Christ’s resurrection. The singing of the Exsultet links this night of our Christian redemption to the Passover night of Israel’s redemption out of Egypt.

The Paschal Candle

Each year at the Easter Vigil the Paschal Candle is lit. The design of the candle is rich in symbolism. The center of the candle is a gold cross with red Alpha and Omega the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. The letters signify that Jesus Christ is the First and the Last the Beginning and the End. (Revelation 22:13) The green laurel branches beneath the cross represent the victory of the resurrection. The current year represents that God is in the present amidst the congregation.

The Window

This stained glass window is in the columbarium (Mourner’s Room) off the chapel at ELPC. in the window is a representation of Easter Morning. An angel, robed in white, informs the three women who have ap­peared at the tomb in Joseph's Garden that the One whom they seek is not here but is risen (Luke 24:1-10). The panel in the arch contains a phoenix, a symbol of the Resurrection. This mythical bird was said after a number of years, to make a nest of spices, sing a melodious dirge, flap its wings to set fire to the nest and, being consumed in the ashes, to emerge with a new life. The lower panel is or­namented with various crosses.