Easter Eve in Jerusalem - April 15, 2006

This evening I attended an "Easter Fire Vigil." The two-hour worship began at 9:00 p.m. with everyone gathered around a fire on the roof of Eccae Homo Church overlooking the city of Jerusalem. The fire was blessed as was the new Paschal (Christ) Candle. Everyone lit individual candles from the fire and processed from the roof into the church where we continued special prayers and scripture readings that are read only on Easter Eve. We shared in the renewal of our Baptismal Vows and in Holy Communion, then we departed to wait for the light of a new day and a new Kingdom.