What happens at the all-night vigil?translated
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 (temple) 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...
