We have had a busy and joyful Easter, starting with the services of  Holy Week. On Wednesday we had the Stations of the Cross followed by Compline. We processed around the Stations, with a reading, contemplation and prayer at each station. The evening office of Compline perfectly finished off this evening.
On Maunday Thursday we had the Eucharist of the last Supper, followed by the stripping of the Altar and the  Gethsemanie watch. We returned on Good Friday at 2:00pm for the service of contemplation of the Cross of Christ. This service of readings from the Passion gospel was accompanied by a number of anthems and motets sung by the Choir, and some congregational Hymns. The music and readings were very beautiful and moving.
On Easter Saturday the Easter Vigil started outside the Church with the blessing of the new  fire and the preparing and lighting of the new Paschal Candle. As the light was passed around among the congregation and every one moved into the Church the Light of Christ illuminated the dark interior. We heard readings from both the Old Testament and the New, we renewed our baptismal Vows, and then the First Eucharist of Eater was celebrated. This service has very ancient roots, dating back to the first centuries AD. Father Stephen told us that records of this service had been found in the Vatican, and the Service only re-introduced into the Anglican Church in 1969.