ABOUT HOLY SATURDAY

Holy Saturday

It is the last day of the Holy Week. On this day Jesus’ body remained in the rock hewn tomb originally made for Joseph of Arimathea, member of the Jewish Council. Though a member of the council, he had not consented to the council’s purpose and deed (Luke 23:51) but also he did not support Jesus during the trial in the council. Some legend says that this Joseph of Arimathea was an uncle of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Some say that the Sanhedrin should be convened only during the daytime to deal with criminal charges and also criminal charges should not be transacted during the Passover season. Moreover it must meet in the Hall of Hewn Stone for its decision to be valid. But these procedures were not followed. But the meeting was convened during the night and at the residence of the Chief Priest. The Jewish leaders in their haste to eliminate Jesus quickly did not seem to have followed their own rules about Sanhedrin.

In this day only the Chief Priest and the Pharisees went to the residence of Pilate and requested to guard the tomb of Jesus because they think that the disciples of Jesus might steal His body and would tell the people that Jesus had risen from dead. It is clear that the Chief Priest and the Pharisees approached the Governor on Sabbath Day with this request. They should not have done this on the Sabbath Day and it was a violation of Sabbath Law. Therefore it is clear that the Jewish leaders in their haste to eliminate Jesus and to get Jesus out of their way, they were even willing to break their Holy Sabbath Law.

Holy Saturday lasts till dusk or 6.00 p.m. and after which the Easter Vigil is celebrated. The church service usually starts with the blessing of fresh fire and the lighting of the Paschal Candle. All faithful are required to renew their baptism vows and baptism administered to children and other new entrants to the Catholic Church.