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The Lord has truly risen! We celebrate the greatest feast - Easter.

The celebration of this 50-day season of the Lord's resurrection began with the Easter vigil, the greatest celebration in the Church's calendar. It began with a fire outside the church, from which the Paschal (Easter) Candle was lit. This is the great symbol of the risen Lord, and will be lit for all liturgy over the next 50 days. The candle led us into the church, dispelling the darkness ahead of us, the clear sign of our hope of salvation and eternal life. We then listened to the story of salvation in the Old Testament readings, before the church was illuminated as the Gloria was sung; then we heard the readings from the New Testament, and the solemn 'Alleluia' - a word not used in the liturgy since before Lent, was proclaimed. At this year's vigil we baptised a baby and received one adult into the Church; across the world, countless people will be baptised or received into full communion with the Church tonight. We pray for them all, and thank God for the new life He gives to His church. May this Easter season bring great blessings upon us all, and may we find joy in the Lord's victory over death. Click on the images below to see more of the Easter vigil at St Clare's.