Easter's message in dark and light

At one, a handful of believers. At another, a couple hundred. Regardless of how full the pews were Saturday night, people at a pair of Cape Girardeau churches were equally passionate about the reasons they gathered -- to cap off Holy Week with an Easter vigil, a time when Christians remember the events of the last week of Christ's life.

The celebration culminates today on Easter, when Christian churches across the world will mark Christ's resurrection.

Saturday night Easter vigils at St. Mary's Cathedral and Christ Episcopal Church mixed darkness and light using candles and dark sanctuaries as metaphors for the day Jesus' body rested in the tomb until Easter Sunday, when believers say he rose from the grave bringing light to the world.

At Christ Episcopal Church on North Fountain Street, a small group gathered outside the church, as church rector Bob Towner lit a small fire. Parishioners lit smaller candles from the one fire in a ceremony called the "lighting of the Paschal candle."

"Sanctify this new fire," Towner prayed, "and grant that in this Paschal feast we may so burn with heavenly desires, that with pure minds we may attain to the festival of everlasting light."

They then solemnly walked into a dark sanctuary before holding their service.

John Karnes, who presents the Eucharist at Christ Episcopal Church, said the Easter vigil is held to observe Christ's passage from death back into life.

"It's important because a resurrected Christ is the foundation of Christianity," he said.

Joda Bess, a greeter at the church, said he's participated in Easter vigils for years.

"It's just part of Easter," he said. "It wouldn't be Easter without it."

At St. Mary's, a larger crowd watched as Bishop John Leibrecht lit a small fire in the sanctuary in a metal bowl. Altar boys then lit Easter candles that other parishioners used to light their own candles. That represents the believers being the light of the world, Leibrecht said.

"We celebrate the resurrection of the Lord from the dead," Leibrecht said before the service. "As happy as we are about that, we're happy that he promised that his faithful followers will also have the same experience -- life after death. That's what we are celebrating."

Leibrecht said that Easter is also a celebration of life on this earth.

"It's a time of deep reflection," he said. "It's almost like we can hardly wait until Easter Sunday. On Easter, we not only celebrate with our family members, but with all of the loved ones who have already died. Easter reminds us we are going to be reunited with them one day."

St. Mary's member Keith Essner agreed.

"It's an example of how we need to live our life," he said. "Easter and what happened on Easter is the whole reason for our beliefs."

smoyers@semissourian.com

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