loader from loading.io

Why Do We Have an Easter Vigil?

Sermons from Grace Cathedral

Release Date: 04/05/2026

On Weeping and Crumbs show art On Weeping and Crumbs

Sermons from Grace Cathedral

The Rev. Joe C. Williams , Succentor Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA Sunday, August 16th, 2026 Genesis 45:1-15 Psalm 133:1-5 Romans 11:2-2a Matthew 15:21-28

info_outline
Civil Discourse for Weary Apostles show art Civil Discourse for Weary Apostles

Sermons from Grace Cathedral

The Rev. Mary Carter Greene Canon Pastor Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA Sunday, August 9th, 2026   Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45B Romans 10:5-15 Matthew 14:22-33

info_outline
I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For: Why I Am a Christian show art I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For: Why I Am a Christian

Sermons from Grace Cathedral

The Very Rev. Dr. Malcolm Clemens Young Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA 10 Pentecost (Proper 10A) 11:00 a.m. Eucharist Sunday 2 August 2026   Genesis 32:22 - 31 Psalm 17:1 Matthew 14:13-21

info_outline
The kingdom of heaven is ... like nothing you would expect. show art The kingdom of heaven is ... like nothing you would expect.

Sermons from Grace Cathedral

The Rev. Susanna Singer Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA 9 Pentecost (Proper 10A) 11:00 a.m. Eucharist Sunday 26 July 2026   Genesis 29:15-28 Psalm 128 Romans 8:26-39 Matthew 13:31,44-52

info_outline
On Ground We Do Not Own show art On Ground We Do Not Own

Sermons from Grace Cathedral

The Rev. Joe C. Williams Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA 8 Pentecost (Proper 10A) 11:00 a.m. Eucharist Sunday 19 July 2026 Genesis 28:10-19a Psalm 139:1-11, 22-23 Romans 8:12-25 Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

info_outline
Reckless Sowing show art Reckless Sowing

Sermons from Grace Cathedral

The Rev. Dr. Mees Tielens Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA 7 Pentecost (Proper 10A) 11:00 a.m. Eucharist Sunday 12 July 2026 Genesis 25:19-34 Psalm 119:105-112 Romans 8:1-11 Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

info_outline
History, Contingency, and Christian Vocation to the Nation show art History, Contingency, and Christian Vocation to the Nation

Sermons from Grace Cathedral

The Rev. Br. Richard Edward Helmer Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA 6 Pentecost (Proper 9A) 11:00 a.m. Eucharist Sunday 5 July 2026 Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67 Psalm 45:11-18 Romans 7:15-25a Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

info_outline
Pride Sunday: It's All in How you Read It show art Pride Sunday: It's All in How you Read It

Sermons from Grace Cathedral

The Rev. Canon Mary Carter Greene Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA 5 Pentecost (Proper 8A) 11:00 a.m. Eucharist Sunday 28 June 2026   Genesis 22:1-14 Psalm 13 Romans 6:12-23 Matthew 10:40-42

info_outline
Jesus and the Almost and Not Yet show art Jesus and the Almost and Not Yet

Sermons from Grace Cathedral

The Rev. Br. Richard Edward Helmer Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA 4 Pentecost (Proper 7A) 11:00 a.m. Eucharist Sunday 21 June 2026   Genesis 21:8-21 Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17 Romans 6:1b-11 Matthew 10:24-39

info_outline
Giving Without Payment show art Giving Without Payment

Sermons from Grace Cathedral

The Rev. Canon Mary Carter Greene Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA 3 Pentecost (Proper 6A) 11:00 a.m. Eucharist Sunday 14 June 2026   Genesis 18:1-15 Psalm 116:1, 10-17 Romans 5:1-8 Matthew 9:35-10:8

info_outline
 
More Episodes

Why do Christians gather in the dark on the night before Easter?

In this Easter Vigil sermon from Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, Malcolm Clemens Young explores the meaning of one of the Church’s most powerful and ancient services. Moving from the fourth century conversion of Augustine, to the critique of Christendom by Søren Kierkegaard, to the modern revival of the Vigil at Grace Cathedral, this sermon shows how baptism draws us into God’s story.

Through fire, water, scripture, and song, the Easter Vigil proclaims that Christ’s resurrection is not just something we remember—it is something we enter.
This is the night of mystery.
This is the night of new life.
This is the night we step into the story.

“Alleluia. Christ is risen!”

Grace Cathedral, San Francisco
 Easter Vigil (Year A) – April 4, 2026

The Very Rev. Dr. Malcolm Clemens Young
Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA 2G9
Easter Vigil (Year A) 9:00 p.m.
Saturday 4 April 2026

Gen. 1:1-2:4a / Gen. 7:1-5, 11-18, 8:6-18, 9:8-13
Exodus 14:10-31 /Ex. 15:20-21
Ezekiel 36:24-28 / Ez. 37:1-14 / Rom. 6:3-11
John 20:1-18