Vigil

Eves of religious holy days

In traditional Christian practice, feasts start at sundown because the Early Church retained the Jewish habit of counting the start of a day from sunset instead of midnight. A liturgical vigil allows worshippers to prepare through the evening with psalms, readings from the Holy Fathers, hymns, sermons, and quiet contemplation. Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, and Methodist congregations hold these services on holy days, such as the Easter Vigil or New Year's Eve Watchnight. Eastern Orthodox parishes celebrate All-Night Vigils on feast eves and before Sundays, combining Great Vespers, Matins, and the First Hour.

Watching over the departed

Vigils accompany serious illness and death across several faiths. In Judaism, guardians maintain an unbroken watch beside a deceased person while reciting Tehillim without pause until the burial service. Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions likewise hold prayerful watches during periods of grave sickness and grief. Votive offerings and prayers are made, ensuring that the deceased is sustained in prayer and the physical body is not left unattended prior to the funeral rites.

Medieval rites and public gatherings

During the Middle Ages, an aspiring squire observed an overnight watch of prayer in a chapel, accompanied by fasting, confession, and ritual bathing, to ready himself before receiving knighthood. In modern times, public vigils take place in community spaces across nations such as Australia and the United States. Organised for peaceful anti-war demonstrations, police reform, mass shooting memorials, or animal welfare causes, these gatherings may open with a short address and continue with singing, chanting, or quiet reflection.

How Vigil is kept

A religious vigil usually begins in the evening or night. Congregants gather in churches or homes to sing hymns, read scriptures, recite psalms, or meditate quietly together. At a deathbed, family members or community members take turns sitting beside the deceased, saying continuous prayers like Tehillim until the burial. Secular public vigils open with a brief speech or announcement in an open area, followed by silent reflection, shared songs, or chants.

When and where

Vigils occur on the eves of major religious occasions, such as Christmas Eve, Holy Saturday, Sunday eves, and New Year's Eve. They also take place whenever someone falls seriously ill, immediately after a death, or following tragic civic events.

Spiritual vigils take place inside chapels, synagogues, churches, and private residences. Secular public vigils are held outdoors in public spaces, outside slaughterhouses during animal rights demonstrations, or in town plazas across countries like Australia and the United States.

What Vigil means

Remaining awake serves as a physical act of devotion, readiness, and care. Sitting with the dead shows that a loved one is not abandoned before burial. In civic life, standing together through the dark expresses shared grief, solidarity, and a non-violent plea for justice.

Days Vigil is marked

Questions people ask about Vigil

See also

Good FridayA solemn Christian holy day commemorating the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ.Holy WeekThe solemn seven days leading to Easter, recalling the final week and Passion of JesusSmoking ceremonyAn Aboriginal Australian ritual of burning native plants to cleanse, heal and welcomeAkhand PathThe unbroken, continuous reading of the entire Sikh scripture over two days

Good reading and sources

• Vigil on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
• Wikidata recordOpen data

It may contain mistakes. Traditions differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-06.