Orthodox Holy Saturday in United States

Holy Saturday is the day when Jesus lay in his tomb after his death, according to Christian belief. Many Orthodox Christian churches in the United States often observe Holy Saturday at a later date than the Holy Saturday date observed by many western churches. Holy Saturday is also known as Holy and Great Saturday.

Orthodox Christians walking around a church on Easter Eve.

©iStockphoto.com/VichoT

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 liturgy between Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday. The liturgy 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 liturgies 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, May 3, 2013
• Orthodox Easter ―Sunday, May 5, 2013
• Orthodox Easter Monday ―Monday, May 6, 2013

Other holidays in May 2013 in United States

• Law Day ―Wednesday, May 1, 2013
• Loyalty Day ―Wednesday, May 1, 2013
• National Day of Prayer ―Thursday, May 2, 2013
• Orthodox Good Friday ―Friday, May 3, 2013
• World Press Freedom Day ―Friday, May 3, 2013
• Rhode Island Independence Day ―Saturday, May 4, 2013
• Orthodox Easter ―Sunday, May 5, 2013
• Cinco de Mayo ―Sunday, May 5, 2013
• Orthodox Easter Monday ―Monday, May 6, 2013
• National Nurses Day ―Monday, May 6, 2013
• Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives during the Second World War ―Wednesday, May 8, 2013
• Truman Day ―Wednesday, May 8, 2013
• Ascension Day ―Thursday, May 9, 2013
• Confederate Memorial Day ―Friday, May 10, 2013
• World Migratory Bird Day ―Saturday, May 11, 2013
• Mother's Day ―Sunday, May 12, 2013
• Peace Officers Memorial Day ―Wednesday, May 15, 2013
• Shavuot ―Wednesday, May 15, 2013
• International Day of Families ―Wednesday, May 15, 2013
• National Defense Transportation Day ―Friday, May 17, 2013
• World Information Society Day ―Friday, May 17, 2013
• Armed Forces Day ―Saturday, May 18, 2013
• Pentecost ―Sunday, May 19, 2013
• Whit Monday ―Monday, May 20, 2013
• World Autoimmune Arthritis Day ―Monday, May 20, 2013
• World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development ―Tuesday, May 21, 2013
• National Maritime Day ―Wednesday, May 22, 2013
• Emergency Medical Services for Children Day ―Wednesday, May 22, 2013
• International Day for Biological Diversity ―Wednesday, May 22, 2013
• Harvey Milk Day ―Wednesday, May 22, 2013
• Towel Day ―Saturday, May 25, 2013
• African Liberation Day ―Saturday, May 25, 2013
• National Missing Children's Day ―Saturday, May 25, 2013
• Trinity Sunday ―Sunday, May 26, 2013
• Jefferson Davis Birthday ―Monday, May 27, 2013
• Memorial Day ―Monday, May 27, 2013
• International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers ―Wednesday, May 29, 2013
• Corpus Christi ―Thursday, May 30, 2013
• World No Tobacco Day ―Friday, May 31, 2013