Easter Triduum

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Easter Triduum, or Holy Triduum, or Paschal Triduum is a term used by some Christian churches, particularly the Roman Catholic Church, to denote, collectively, the three days from the evening of Holy Thursday (or Maundy Thursday) to the evening of Easter Sunday. The Triduum begins with the evening Mass of the Lord's Supper (or, where this is not celebrated, Vespers of Holy Thursday) and ends after Vespers at sunset on Easter Day.

The term was used at the Second Vatican Council, when the revised liturgical calendar set the final part of Holy Week apart from Lent proper. Previously, these three days had already gained distinction from the rest of Holy Week with an observance of silence, which were also known as "the still days." During mass, music was not to be played and all church bells were silenced. People were also encouraged to observe silence in their homes during this time. Prior to the reforms of the Second Vatican Council weddings were prohibited throughout the entire season of Lent and during certain other periods as well. Now they are prohibited only during the Triduum and a few other solemnities.

Contents 1 Holy Thursday 2 Good Friday 3 Holy Saturday 4 Easter Vigil 5 Easter

[edit] Holy Thursday

• the end of Lent ends at dusk of Holy Thursday.
• evening worship service or Mass of the Lord's Supper.
• the Mass concludes without a procession as the Triduum celebration has not ended.
• some churches who celebrate this day as Maundy Thursday engage in the ritual of ceremonial footwashing.
• it is customary on this night for a Watch service to take place, beginning after the evening service and continuing until Midnight. (This is occasionally then re-commenced at dawn of Good Friday, continuing until the morning liturgy.)
• Color: White

[edit] Good Friday

• the celebration of His passion
• there is no procession at the beginning or end of the service; the service is a continuation of what began on Holy Thursday.
• In the Roman Catholic and High Anglican rites, a crucifix (not necessarily the one which stands on or near the altar on other days of the year) is ceremoniously unveiled. (And in pre-Vatican II, other crucifixes were to be unveiled, without ceremony, after the Good Friday service.)
• Color: Varies: No color, Red, or Black are used in different traditions. (Where colored hangings are removed for this day, liturgical color applies to vestments only.)

[edit] Holy Saturday

• commemoration of the day Christ lay in the Tomb
• In the Roman Catholic Church, Mass is never offered on this day
• Color: None

[edit] Easter Vigil

• held after sunset of Holy Saturday, or before dawn on Easter Day, in anticipation of the celebration of the resurrection.
  See also Paschal candle
• In the Roman Catholic Church those desiring to be Catholic are Baptized, Confirmed, and given the Eucharist to those seeking full membership.
• In pre-Vatican II Roman Catholic rite, during the "Gloria in Excelsis" at the Mass, the organ and bells are used in the liturgy for the first time in 2 days, and the statues, which have been veiled during Passion time, are unveiled.
• Color: White, often together with Gold.

[edit] Easter

The date of Easter varies from year to year, but is set to be close to the date of Jesus' resurrection, which the holiday recognizes. The Easter season extends from the Easter Vigil through Pentecost Sunday on the Catholic and Protestant calendars. On the calendar used by traditional Catholics, Eastertide lasts until the end of the Octave of Pentecost, at None of the following Ember Saturday.

The Easter octave allows for no other feasts to be celebrated or commemorated during it (possible exception is the Greater Litanies if Easter falls late enough). If Easter is so early that March 25 falls in Easter week, Annunciation feast is postponed to the following week.

Ascension is the fortieth day of Easter, always a Thursday. Pentecost is the fiftieth.

Color: White or Gold, except on Pentecost, on which the color is Red.