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What happens at the all-night vigil?translated

July 5, 2026 · 1 min read

In the divine services of the Orthodox Church there is a special set of services of the daily cycle, which is performed on certain days and, according to statutory instructions, should last from sunset to dawn: all night. It is called “all-night vigil” (“staying awake all night”).

The All-Night Vigil consists of three services (parts): Great Vespers, Matins - the central and most significant part, and the first hour - the final part.

According to the church charter, the all-night vigil is served on the eve of Sundays (on Saturday evening); twelve feasts (Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Exaltation of the Holy Cross, etc.); great holidays (Nativity of John the Baptist, the day of remembrance of the holy chief apostles Peter and Paul, etc.); patronal (church) holidays; days of remembrance of especially revered saints (St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, Apostle John the Theologian, etc.).

The custom of performing an all-night vigil is very ancient. It is based on the example of the prayers of the Savior and the holy apostles. The general structure of worship was formed by the time of St. John Chrysostom (IV century). In the 8th and 9th centuries, Saints John of Damascus, Theodore the Studite and many other hymn-makers supplemented the all-night vigil with some...

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Samuel Mitchell

I always look forward to the polyeleos during the matins part — that’s when the church lights up and we sing “Praise the name of the Lord.” Makes the whole long service feel worth it, especially on a big feast like St. Nicholas.

Paul Taylor

The polyeleos is definitely the highlight for me too, especially when the lights come on and that “Praise the name of the Lord” kicks in. On St Nicholas day last year I noticed how the choir really leans into the “Alleluia” verses and it always lifts the whole vigil. Do you have a favourite troparion that gets sung right after?

Tamara Pavlović

With us in Banja Luka on St. Nicholas' Day, the pouring is always special, just when all the lights are turned on and "Praise the Lord's name" is sung. Last year I noticed that the choir sang those hallelujah lines very beautifully, just like Paul says. And you, do you regularly go to vigils on Saturday evenings or only on major holidays?

Margaret Anderson

Our choir always slows down a bit on those “Praise the name of the Lord” verses during the polyeleos, and it makes the whole dark church feel different when the lights finally come on. I usually make it for the big feasts like St. Nicholas, but I’ll be honest, I don’t drag myself out every Saturday night anymore. Tamara, does your parish in Banja Luka do the full vigil or shorten it like we sometimes do?

Marko Savić

Here in Kragujevac, on St. Nicholas Day, there is always that moment when the church lights up and the choir sings "Praise the Lord's name", just as Tamara and Paul describe. Last year I stayed until the end and after the first class I felt really awake, even though it was late. And you, do you go regularly on Saturday nights or only on major holidays?

Đorđe Simić

In our place in Niš on St. Nicholas' Day, that pouring with lights and "Praise the Lord's name" always goes down as something special, I'm really glad you mentioned it. I rarely arrive on Saturday evenings, but I always stay until the end for major holidays and church holidays. And have you tried to go to an ordinary Sunday evening, outside of the big celebrations?

Radmila Radovanović

Here in Podgorica, on St. Nicholas' Day, that pouring with lighted candles and "Praise the Lord's name" is always a highlight. Last year I stayed until the end and I really felt light in my soul, although my legs were tired. And you, do you sometimes go to minor holidays or only when there is a big assembly?

Snežana Živković

With us in Niš on St. Nicholas' Day, that pouring with lights and "Praise the Lord's name" is also always special, you described it very well. I rarely go on Saturday evenings, but on church holidays I always stay until the end, and after the first class it's easier for me than after morning coffee. And have you tried to go to a vespers outside of major holidays, say an ordinary Saturday?

Yes, that pouring on Nicholas Day in Niš is really special, especially when the lights go out and only the flickering remains. I usually go to regular Saturday vespers when I arrive, it's not the same as a holiday but I like the quiet after the work week. And you, do you sometimes go to a small vesper in a church other than ours?

Dragan Milošević

Yes, that pouring on Nicholas Day in our church is always the strongest part for me, just when the lights go out and only that quiet flickering remains. On Saturday evenings, I usually arrive only for ordinary vespers at St. Panteleimon, it's not that big, but after work I really like the silence. And you, do you sometimes go to a small evening party outside of Niš, say in the surrounding villages?

Miloš Marković

Yes, that pouring on St. Nicholas Day is really special, when everything goes silent and only the weak light remains - one really feels as if one is somewhere deep in a monastery. On Saturday evenings, I usually only get to the vespers at our place in Belgrade, after my shift, and I like that silence just as much as you do. And have you been to a village church outside of Niš, let's say in the surrounding area, where they serve a little differently?