What Is Holy Saturday? 2024 Date, Traditions, and Meaning

Holy Saturday is the day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Many Christians recognize this day, the seventh and last day of Holy Week, as the day Jesus Christ “rested” after completing the work of forgiving the sins of mankind.

As Jesus died on the cross, he cried out, “It is finished!” There was no need for another atonement; Sin was forgiven by Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.

When is Holy Saturday in 2024?

This year, Holy Saturday will be on March 30, the day before Easter Sunday, March 31.

Other names of Holy Saturday:

Holy Saturday: This name refers to the position of Holy Saturday during Holy Week.
Great and Holy Saturday: This name emphasizes the importance and holiness of this day.
Great Sabbath: This name refers to the deep peace that is said to have reigned over the earth after the death of Jesus.
Black Saturday: This name refers to the sadness caused by the death of Jesus Christ.
Hallelujah Saturday – (Portugal and Brazil): This name emphasizes the celebration and joy of the approaching Easter.
Glorious Saturday – (Philippines): This name refers to the greatness and glory of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Easter Eve: This name refers to the night before Easter.
Joyous Saturday or Saturday of Light – (Coptic Christians): These names emphasize the joyful expectation for the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Day.

Holy Saturday traditions

Holy Saturday, also known as the “Easter Vigil,” commemorates the final day of Christ’s death, traditionally associated with his triumphant descent into hell.

Churches that celebrate this day traditionally commemorate it by commemorating a day of deep and sorrowful reflection on the dark world that existed without the hope and salvation of Christ’s resurrection.

The early church celebrated the end of Lent with a great ceremony of baptism. However, for many centuries in the Western Church, no services were held on Holy Saturday. It refers to the suspended state of Christ’s followers in the time between his crucifixion and resurrection.

Holy fire on Holy Saturday

The Holy Fire is a miracle that happens every year on Holy Saturday in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. This event is commonly recognized as the oldest annual miracle observed in Christendom, having been continuously recorded since 1106 AD. In many Orthodox countries, the Holy Fire ceremony is broadcast live on television.

It is customary for the ceremony to begin at noon with the recitation of a special prayer by the “Patriarch of Jerusalem” or another senior Orthodox bishop. Then the assembled Christians cry out “Lord, have mercy” until the holy fire descends on a lamp of olive oil lit by the Patriarch while he is alone in the cell of the tomb of Jesus Christ. Then the patriarch leaves the tomb cell and lights candles to distribute among the faithful.

The fire is said to spontaneously light other lamps and candles around the church. Pilgrims say that in the first 33 minutes after lighting the holy fire, this fire does not burn the human skin. According to Orthodox writings, before entering the Lord’s tomb, the presiding patriarch or archbishop is inspected by Israeli authorities to ensure that he does not have a means of lighting the fire with him.

The meaning of Holy Saturday

If Christ had never risen, “your faith is vain; You are still in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:17).
The disciples were scattered when Jesus was arrested (Mark 14:50), and they spent the first Holy Saturday in hiding in fear of arrest (John 20:19).
The day between Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection was a moment of despair and confusion for the disciples who sought to understand Jesus’ murder and Judas’ betrayal.

The only biblical reference to what happened on Holy Saturday is found in Matthew 27:62-66.
After sundown on Friday, the chief priests and Pharisees approached Pontius Pilate. They asked Pilate to guard the tomb of Jesus. They remembered that Jesus had said that he would rise again in three days (John 2:19-21) and wanted to prevent Christ from rising from the grave. As we know, the Roman guards were not enough to prevent the resurrection, and the women who returned to the tomb on Sunday morning found it empty. God had risen.

In the Orthodox Church, Holy Saturday is also known as “Holy Saturday”. Pastor Alexander Shmiman explains the importance and meaning of Holy Saturday based on Orthodox theology and tradition:

Holy Saturday is the day that Christ rested in the grave. The church calls this day Holy Saturday.

By using this title, the Orthodox Church associates Holy Saturday with God’s act of creation. In the first account of creation, which is found in the book of Genesis, God created man in his own image and likeness. To be truly himself, man had to live in constant connection with the source and dynamic force of that image – God. Man fell from God. Now Christ, the Son of God, through whom all things were created, has come to bring man back into relationship with God. Thus, He completes creation. Everything is as it should be again. His mission has been completed. On Holy Saturday he rests from all his work.

Bible verses and prayers for Holy Saturday

Bible verses:

1 Corinthians 15:17: “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile, and you are still in your sins.”
Mark 14:48-50: “Jesus said to them, ‘Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me, as you arrest a thief? I was with you every day in the temple, teaching, and you did not arrest me. But let me The writings should be done.” And they all left him and fled.”
Matthew 27:62-66: “The next day, that is, after the day of preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees came to Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember that the deceiver, while he was still alive, said, “After three I will rise on the day So order that the tomb be guarded until the third day, lest his disciples come and steal him away and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last deception will be worse than the first.” Pilate said to them, “You have a soldier guard. Go, make it as strong as you can.” So they went and secured the tomb by sealing the stone and placing a guard.”
John 20:19-23: “In the evening of the same day, that is, the first day of the week, while the doors were locked on the disciples who were hiding for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be upon you. Be you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side, and when the disciples saw him, he said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they will be forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it will be withheld.”

Prayer for Holy Saturday:

Merciful God, on this holy day, we reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross and the expectation of his resurrection at Easter.
Strengthen our faith in your power of forgiveness and salvation.
Give us hope and joy because we know that death will not conquer Jesus Christ.
Prepare us for Easter so that we can celebrate your victory over sin and death with a joyful heart and a grateful spirit.
Amen

Today in the article : What Is Holy Saturday? 2024 Date, Traditions, and Meaning We reviewed useful information about the Bible and the way of Jesus. If you wish, you can view other articles of Ali Vahidi about Christianity