A mosaic in Hosios Loukas depicts a resurrected Christ descending from Hades. Credit: Wikimedia Commons/ Public DomainHoly Saturday, the day before Greek Easter, marks the last day of Holy Week. On the morning of Holy Saturday, the Greek Orthodox Church commemorates Jesus’ burial.
In the Bible, the chief priests and Pharisees asked Pontius Pilate to secure Jesus Christ’s tomb for three days on the Saturday before His resurrection.
They did so because they had suspicions that Christ’s disciples would try to steal His buried body during the night and then preach to the people, announcing that He had been resurrected. This, they believed, would be His greatest deception.
Holy Saturday and Greek Easter celebrations
On Holy Saturday, psalms are read and Resurrection hymns are sung, telling of Christ’s descent into Hades: “Today Hades cried out groaning,” the psalm says.
The hymns speak of the conquering of death and the day’s celebration is called “First Resurrection.” Most of the readings of this day are from the Old Testament on the prophecies and promise of the conquering of death.
