This is another way that the candle represents Christ, who was also born of a virgin. (“Primarily from beeswax” often means 51% beeswax, because beeswax is expensive.) After praising the bees, the deacon lights the Paschal Candle from the triple candlestick. He then sings, “Which fire, although divided into parts, suffers no loss from its light being borrowed,” referring to the triple candlestick. After the Paschal Candle is lit, all the other candles in the church are lit, except the candles on the altar. Lamps are usually lit before the altar, but not on the altar itself. Small candles held by the faithful may be lit at this time. This represents the light of Christ radiating throughout the world after the Resurrection.





The deacon continues, “O truly blessed night,is filled with light, whereas at the beginning of the liturgy it was in darkness, and the Paschal Candle burns as a symbol of the risen Lord.





The Prophecies

Since antiquity, one of the integral parts of the Easter Vigil has been readings from Sacred Scripture, particularly the Old Testament. (The tradition of the Easter Vigil predates the compilation of the New Testament. ) The purpose of the Old Covenant was to prepare the Jews for the coming of the Messiah, so as we prepare to celebrate the Resurrection of the Messiah, we recall God's saving acts throughout history and our preparation to receive so great a Messiah. Twelve prophecies are sung by lectors that tell the story of our salvation.





Th e story of our salvation begins at the beginning