S T .

T H O M A S ’ C AT H E D R A L
MUMBAI
Established 1718

The Church of North India

A member of the worldwide Anglican Communion
Sundays 7 am Eucharist (said) † 8.45 am Eucharist (sung)
Weekdays 7 am to 6 pm for a time of quiet prayer and reflection

The
Vigil of
Easter

Holy Saturday
30th March 2024
8 p.m.
 Welcome to St Thomas’ Cathedral for this service

About the Vigil for Easter

This is the night when Christ broke the bonds of death and rose victorious from
the grave. Tonight, we hear the ancient stories of God’s redeeming work. We
move from darkness to light and from solemn chant to joyful song as we celebrate
the glorious Resurrection. On this, the holiest night of the Christian year,
we rejoice as God in Christ invites us into new life.

Please t ake this order of service away

This order of service is printed on sustainably-produced paper. Worship material has been
drawn from the Book of Common Prayer; and https://www.churchofengland.org. Some mate-
rial in this service is copyright: Common Worship © 2000 The Archbishops’ Council and
Common Worship.

2
 Order of Service
The congregation is asked to join in all text printed in bold.

The Service of Light

Lighting and Blessing of the New Fire

At 8 p.m. please make your way to the porch.

All stand and face the Presbyter.

The Presbyter says

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

on this most holy night,
when our Lord Jesus Christ passed from death to life,
the Church invites her children throughout the world
to come together in vigil and prayer.
This is the Passover of the Lord.
We remember his death and resurrection
by hearing his word and celebrating his mysteries,
confident that we shall share his victory over death
and live with him for ever in God.

All join in singing

Breathe on me, Breath of God,
so shall I never die,
but live with you the perfect life
for all eternity.
Words: Edwin Hatch, 1835 - 1889 Tune: TRENTHAM
Robert Jackson, 1840 - 1914

3
The new fire is kindled.
The Presbyter leads in the following prayer

Eternal God,
who made this most holy night
to shine with the brightness of your one true light:
set us aflame with the fire of your love,
and bring us to the radiance of your heavenly glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All Amen.

All sing

He is Lord, he is Lord!
he is risen from the dead and he is Lord;
every knee shall bow, every tongue confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord.

The Lighting of the Paschal Candle

The Paschal Candle is lit from the newly-kindled fire

May the light of Christ, rising in glory,

banish all darkness from our hearts and minds.

The minister bearing the Candle raises it and says or sings

The light of Christ.

All Thanks be to God.

The organ sounds a fanfare and bells are rung

The procession moves through the Cathedral by the light of the Paschal Candle.
In the course of the procession the people’s candles are lighted

4
 The Easter Song of Praise
Cantor Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing, choirs of angels!
Exult all creation around God’s throne!
Jesus Christ, our King, is risen!
Sound the trumpet of salvation!
All Let us sing and rejoice with the choirs of heaven,
Jesus Christ our King is risen!
Rejoice, O earth, in shining splendour,
radiant in the brightness of your King!
Christ has conquered! Glory fills you!
Darkness vanishes for ever!
Rejoice, O Mother Church! Exult in glory!
The risen Saviour, shines upon you!
Let this place resound with joy,
echoing the mighty song of all God’s people!
Let us sing and rejoice with the choirs of heaven,
Jesus Christ our King is risen!
Words: Exultet, from the Roman Missal Music: Simon Reynolds

All take their places in the Quire and sit.

The Vigil
The Presbyter says

As we await the risen Christ, let us hear the record of God’s saving
deeds in history, recalling how He saved His people in ages past and in
the fullness of time sent His Son to be our Redeemer; and let us pray that
through this Easter celebration God may bring to perfection in each of us
the saving work He has begun.

Reading
The Creation
Genesis 1: 1 – 2. 4a
At the conclusion of reading, the reader says
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

5
Presbyter Almighty God,
you have created the heavens and the earth
and made us in your own image:
teach us to discern your hand in all your works
and your likeness in all your children;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord.
All Amen.

Psalm 104: 1 - 7
1
Bless the Lord, O my soul. ♦
O Lord my God, how excellent is your greatness!
2
You are clothed with majesty and honour, ♦
wrapped in light as in a garment.
3
You spread out the heavens like a curtain ♦
and lay the beams of your dwelling place in the waters above.
4
You make the clouds your chariot ♦
and ride on the wings of the wind.
5
You make the winds your messengers ♦
and flames of fire your servants.
Response Send forth your Spirit and renew the face of the earth.
6
You laid the foundations of the earth, ♦
that it never should move at any time.
7
You covered it with the deep like a garment ; ฀
the waters stood high above the hills.

Reading
Crossing the Red Sea
Exodus 14: 10 – end, 15.1a

At the conclusion of reading, the reader says

This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

6
Presbyter Lord God our redeemer,
who heard the cry of your people
and sent your servant Moses to lead them out of slavery:
free us from the tyranny of sin and death
and, by the leading of your Spirit,
bring us to our promised land;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All Amen.

The Song of Moses and Miriam

I will sing to the Lord, who has triumphed gloriously, ♦

the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.
2
The Lord is my strength and my song ♦
and has become my salvation.
3
This is my God whom I will praise, ♦
the God of my forebears whom I will exalt.
4
The Lord is a warrior, ♦
the Lord is his name.
All I will sing to the Lord,
who has triumphed gloriously.
5
Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in power: ♦
your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy.
6
At the blast of your nostrils, the sea covered them; ♦
they sank as lead in the mighty waters.
7
In your unfailing love, O Lord, ♦
you lead the people whom you have redeemed.
8
And by your invincible strength ♦
you will guide them to your holy dwelling.
9
You will bring them in and plant them, O Lord, ♦
in the sanctuary which your hands have established.
All I will sing to the Lord,
who has triumphed gloriously.

7
All STAND and sing

Amazing grace how sweet the sound

that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
was blind, but now I see.
2
’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!
3
Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come:
'tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.
Words: John Newton, 1725 - 1807 Tune: NEW BRITAIN
William Walker, 1809 - 1875

Sit
Reading
God promises a new heart
Jeremiah 31. 31 - 34
At the conclusion of reading, the reader says
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Presbyter Almighty God,

in Christ you make all things new:
transform the poverty of our nature
by the riches of your grace,
and in the renewal of our lives
make known your heavenly glory;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord.
All Amen.

The organ plays a fanfare

All stand
8
 The Easter Acclamation

Presbyter Alleluia! Christ is risen.

All He is risen indeed. Alleluia!

Remain standing as we sing

Gloria in Excelsis

Glory be to God on high, Alleluia!

Peace to all beneath the sky, Alleluia!
Praise and blessing now we bring, Alleluia!
Worship, glory, to the King, Alleluia!
2
Praise to Christ, His only Son, Alleluia!
All our sin has He undone, Alleluia!
Grant us mercy, Lord, we pray, Alleluia!
And receive our prayer today, Alleluia!
3
For you are the Holy One, Alleluia!
Who, alone, the victory won, Alleluia!
With the Holy Spirit, Lord, Alleluia!
And the Father, glorious God, Alleluia!
Words: Michael Crawford Tune: EASTER HYMN
after the ‘Gloria in excelsis Deo’

The Gospel
St. Mark 16: 1 - 8

Gospeller Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark.
All Glory to you, O Lord.

When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of
James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And
very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went
to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, ‘Who will roll away the
stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?’ When they looked up, they
saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back.
continued

9
As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe,
sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, ‘Do
not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified.
He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him.
But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee;
there you will see him, just as he told you.’ So they went out and fled from
the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing
to anyone, for they were afraid.
Gospeller This is the Gospel of the Lord.
All Praise to you, O Christ.

Sit

Renewal of Baptismal Vows

As we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead,
we remember that through the paschal mystery we have died and been
buried with him in baptism.

In baptism, God calls us out of darkness into his marvelous light.

To follow Christ means dying to sin and rising to new life with him.
Therefore I ask:
Do you reject the devil and all rebellion against God?
I reject them.
Do you renounce the deceit and corruption of evil?
I renounce them.
Do you repent of the sins that separate us from God and neighbour?
I repent of them.
Do you turn to Christ as Saviour?
I turn to Christ.

Do you submit to Christ as Lord?

I submit to Christ.
Do you come to Christ, the way, the truth and the life?
I come to Christ.

10
The Presbyter says
May God, who has given you the desire to follow Christ,
give you also strength to continue in the Way.
Amen.

Prayer of Thanksgiving over the Water

The Presbyter blesses the water, saying
Bless this water, that all who are washed in it
may be made one with Christ
in his death and in his resurrection,
to be cleansed and delivered from all sin.
Send your Holy Spirit upon all the baptized,
bring them to new birth in the household of faith,
and raise them with Christ to full and eternal life;
for all might, majesty, authority, and power are yours,
now and forever.
Amen.

All stand
Profession of Faith

Brothers and sisters, I ask you to profess the faith of the Church.
Do you believe and trust in God the Father?
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
Do you believe and trust in his Son Jesus Christ?
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

11
Do you believe and trust in the Holy Spirit?
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

Almighty God,
we thank you for our fellowship in the household of faith
with all who have been baptized into your name.
Keep us faithful to our baptism,
and so make us ready for that day
when the whole creation shall be made perfect in your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.

May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith,

that you may be rooted and grounded in love
and bring forth the fruit of the Spirit.
Amen.

All STAND and sing

Alleluia, Alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord,

Alleluia, alleluia, give praise to His name.
Jesus is Lord of all the earth.
He is the King of creation.

12
The Liturgy of the Eucharist
All stand
The Peace

The risen Christ came and stood among his disciples and said,
‘Peace be with you.’ Then were they glad when they saw the Lord.
Alleluia.
The peace of the risen Christ be always with you.
All And also with you. Alleluia.

The Eucharistic Prayer

The Lord be with you

And also with you.
Lift up your hearts
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
It is right to give thanks and praise.

It is indeed right, our duty and our joy,

always and everywhere to give you thanks,
almighty and eternal Father,
and on this night of our redemption
to celebrate with joyful hearts
the memory of your wonderful works.
For by the mystery of his passion
Jesus Christ, your risen Son,
has conquered the powers of death and hell
and restored in men and women the image of your glory.
He has placed them once more in paradise
and opened to them the gate of life eternal.
And so, in the joy of this Passover,
Earth and heaven resound with gladness,
while angels and archangels and the powers of creation
sing for ever the hymn of your glory:

13
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.

Sit

The Presbyter recalls the Last Supper

Accept our praises, heavenly Father,

through your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ,
and, as we follow his example and obey his command,
grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit
these gifts of bread and wine
may be to us his body and his blood;
who, in the same night that he was betrayed,
took bread and gave you thanks;
he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you;
do this in remembrance of me.

In the same way, after supper

he took the cup and gave you thanks;
he gave it to them, saying:
Drink this, all of you;
this is my blood of the new covenant,
which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.

Therefore, heavenly Father,

we remember his offering of himself
made once for all upon the cross;
we proclaim his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension;
we look for the coming of your kingdom,
and with this bread and this cup
we make the memorial of Christ your Son our Lord.

Great is the mystery of faith:

Christ has died:
Christ is risen:
Christ will come again.
14
Accept through him, our great high priest,
this our sacrifice of thanks and praise,
and as we eat and drink these holy gifts
in the presence of your divine majesty,
renew us by your Spirit,
inspire us with your love and unite us in the body of your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord.

Through him, and with him, and in him,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
with all who stand before you in earth and heaven,
we worship you, Father almighty, in songs of everlasting praise:
Blessing and honour and glory and power
be yours for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

As we join our prayers with the Church Universal, so we say the prayer
that Jesus taught us.

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.

15
 The Breaking of the Bread
We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.
Though we are many, we are one body,
because we all share in one bread.

Alleluia. Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.

Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.

The Body and Blood of Christ. Amen.

The Distribution of Communion

Prayer after Communion

All stand and say

Almighty God,
we thank you for feeding us
with the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ.
Through him we offer you our souls and bodies
to be a living sacrifice.
Send us out in the power of your Spirit
to live and work
to your praise and glory. Amen.

The Dismissal
The Blessing
Alleluia! Christ is risen.
He is risen indeed. Alleluia!

The God of peace,

who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus,
that great shepherd of the sheep,
through the blood of the eternal covenant,
make you perfect in every good work to do his will,
working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight;
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

16
All stand and sing
Hymn

And can it be that I should gain

An interest in the Saviour’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain—
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

Amazing love! How can it be,

That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
2
Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

My chains fell off, my heart was free,

I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
3
No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach the eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Bold I approach the eternal throne,

And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Words: Charles Wesley, 1707 - 1788 Tune: SAGINA
Thomas Campbell, 1800 - 1876

17
 He lives, Christ Jesus lives today
He walks with me and talks with me
Along life's narrow way
He lives, salvation to impart
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart .

18
 The Paschal Candle

The Paschal candle is a large, white candle lit during the Easter service. The candle
is often decorated with symbols of Christ's resurrection, such as a cross or an
image of the resurrected Christ. The Paschal candle also represents Jesus'
resurrection and triumph over death, and is a symbol of hope and new life.

The Paschal Candle has a long history and carries significant meaning and symbolism
in Easter services. The candle is lit during the Easter Vigil, symbolizing the light of
Christ's resurrection overcoming the darkness of the tomb. The Paschal Candle is
also lit during baptisms, signifying new life in Christ.

From the Easter Vigil until Pentecost Sunday, the Paschal Candle is prominently
displayed and is lit for all liturgies. Once the season of Easter is over, the Paschal
Candle returns to the baptismal font. The Paschal Candle is kept near the baptismal
font because it is used during the Liturgy of Baptism.

19
 ST. THOMAS’ CATHEDRAL
3 Veer Nariman Road, Fort, Mumbai – 400 001
Presbyter-In-Charge: The Revd. Avinash T. Rangayya
Telephone: (Vestry) 2283 9783, (R) 2207 1275, 98207 50090
Contact the Presbyter for pastoral visits and administering Communion to the house-bound.
FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION ONLY. PLEASE SHARE THIS SERVICE BOOKLET WITH A FIREND.
Website http://stthomascathedralmumbai.com
Subscribe to the Cathedral’s YouTube channel

20