Easter Triduum: A Challenge For the Curious

If you have never attended the Easter Triduum then this post is for you, especially if you don't know what it is. For those who have some interest in the historic liturgy or in Lutheranism, a once in a year opportunity is coming up that will help you understand both--especially if you come from a denomination that does not have the historic liturgy (if you don't know what the historic liturgy is then this probably includes you). Most Christians have some understanding of Good Friday and Easter. Good Friday is the day when Jesus was crucified and Easter is the day that Jesus rose from the dead. The Easter Triduum is a three-part service that extends from Thursday through Saturday. If you put the pieces together it is a structured to be one long service. On Thursday evening there is a Maundy Thursday service where we commemorate the Last Supper. The altar is stripped bare as we remember Jesus being taken away by the Roman soldiers. On Good Friday there is a service at noon (the time of the crucifixion) and another in the evening (when we remember His burial). The final part of the service takes place on Saturday evening which leads to the first celebration of the resurrection. Saturday service originally lasted all night until sunrise but in most cases today it is about 2 hours long. I suggest that the curious attend the Easter Triduum and then visit their own church for Easter Sunday. In a very dramatic way you will see the difference between historic Lutheranism and your current church and the difference between liturgical and non-liturgical worship. Please consult this list for a liturgical Lutheran church near you.