Easter Vigil

I recently went to an Episcopal Easter service at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. Voices were hushed as we entered and the only light came from the rich blues and reds of the stain-glass windows. Finally a procession came in with a candle, which lit all the other candles and finally the lights of the church were turned up all the way as we sang songs about the risen Lord. Prudentious, a poet who lived at the beginning of the 5th century, mentions the custom of the Easter Vigil in the fifth poem of his Liber Cathemarinon. This is the translation of my Latin teacher, Miss Miller:

We prolong the night with pious joys in our
Festal gatherings, and earnestly heap up
Propitious requests with vigilant prayer,
And present libations on the lofty altar.

It was good to experience such an ancient tradition. I also met Bishop James E. Waggoner, who is bishop of the area extending from the cascades in Washington and including Northern Idaho and part of Montana as well. When I asked him for a doctrinal statement, he gave me a 1977 Book of Common Prayer. He was very hospitable to all of us visitors from NSA and Christ Church, who comprised no small portion of the people in attendance that night.