Orthodox Holy Saturday in United States

Many Orthodox Christians observe Holy Saturday, which was the day before Jesus (statue pictured above) was resurrected. ©iStockphoto.com/Tina Lorein

What do people do?

Many Orthodox Christians in the United States view Holy Saturday as the day of watchful expectation. The mourning period wanes and people wait for Easter Sunday, the day when Jesus was resurrected. Holy Communion can be received on Holy Saturday in some Orthodox churches in the United States.

Some churches hold a midnight service between Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday. The service usually starts out in darkness, representing the tomb’s darkness, before candles are lit. It is customary in many churches for the clergy and congregation to hold candles as they sing. This practices stems from ancient Christian burial rituals.

Public life

The Christian Orthodox date for Holy Saturday is not a federal public holiday in the United States.

Background

Many Orthodox churches retained the Julian calendar after the Gregorian calendar was introduced in Europe in 1582. Therefore they often follow a different Easter date compared with many western churches. Easter holidays, such as Holy Saturday, are “moveable feasts” as these dates change according to calendar calculations. Holy Saturday is the day between Jesus’ death and his resurrection.

There are different types of Orthodox churches that are well established in the United States. Some of these churches include the Greek Hellenic Orthodox Church, the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America, and the Russian Orthodox Church. The Russian Orthodox Church in North America can be traced back to the late 18th century, where a Russian church was built on Kodiak Island in Alaska during that period.  Alaska was previously part of Russia until the United States bought the land. The number of Greek Orthodox churches grew as Greek immigration increased after the late 19th century in the United States.

Symbols

Candles that are lit during Holy Saturday church services symbolize Jesus Christ’s victory over death, as well as the Christian belief in his resurrection. It can also mean spiritual hope and victory.

About Orthodox Holy Saturday in other countries

Orthodox Holy Saturday Observances

Related holidays

• Orthodox Good Friday–Friday, April 17, 2009
• Orthodox Easter–Sunday, April 19, 2009
• Orthodox Easter Monday–Monday, April 20, 2009

Other holidays in April 2009 in United States

• World Autism Awareness Day (Thursday, April 2, 2009)
• Pascua Florida Day (Thursday, April 2, 2009)
• United Nations' Mine Awareness Day (Saturday, April 4, 2009)
• Palm Sunday (Sunday, April 5, 2009)
• United Nations' World Health Day (Tuesday, April 7, 2009)
• First day of Passover (Thursday, April 9, 2009)
• Maundy Thursday (Thursday, April 9, 2009)
• Good Friday (Friday, April 10, 2009)
• Holy Saturday (Saturday, April 11, 2009)
• Easter Sunday (Sunday, April 12, 2009)
• Easter Monday (Monday, April 13, 2009)
• Father Damien Day (Wednesday, April 15, 2009)
• Tax Day (Wednesday, April 15, 2009)
• Emancipation Day (Thursday, April 16, 2009)
• Last day of Passover (Thursday, April 16, 2009)
• Orthodox Good Friday (Friday, April 17, 2009)
• Orthodox Easter (Sunday, April 19, 2009)
• Patriot's Day (Monday, April 20, 2009)
• Orthodox Easter Monday (Monday, April 20, 2009)
• San Jacinto Day (Tuesday, April 21, 2009)
• Yom HaShoah (Tuesday, April 21, 2009)
• Administrative Professionals Day (Wednesday, April 22, 2009)
• Oklahoma Day (Wednesday, April 22, 2009)
• Earth Day (Wednesday, April 22, 2009)
• World Book and Copyright Day (Thursday, April 23, 2009)
• Arbor Day (Friday, April 24, 2009)
• Confederate Memorial Day (Monday, April 27, 2009)
• Yom HaAtzmaut (Wednesday, April 29, 2009)

Other calendars

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