Please find above a selection of photos from THE GREAT VIGIL OF EASTER, the first of three morning liturgies celebrated at Christ Church Cathedral on Easter Sunday, April 21.
Worship began at 5:30am. The liturgy has five sections and takes place in three locations: the chancel; the Hillman Garden located on the west side of the church adjacent to Burrard Street, the nave and chancel entrance platform.
A feature of the opening section "Liturgy of the Word" which took place in the chancel were the warps, hand spun by parishioners of St. Brigid's (the Sunday afternoon congregation at CCC) and suspended over the altar. Inspired by Debra Sparrow’s (Debra is a Musqueam weaver and currently in-residence at CCC) blankets, it will hang above the CCC altar until June or July.
The images show detail of the Cathedral's "Indigo Quilts" on display in the parish hall.
Archbishop Melissa Skelton presided at the Lighting of the First Fire of Easter; the Renewal of Baptismal Vows and the Eucharist.
The liturgical production was designed and directed by Thomas Roach, ODNW.
The video included with this post is the last verse of the Closing Hymn "Jesus Christ is Risen Today", the Dismissal, the Procession and enthusiastic bell ringing in concert with the ringing of the Cathedral's bells in the bell tower.