Vigils, feasts and other essential trivia about Easter in Goa
Evelyn Siqueira
NUMERO UNO
Christmas celebrations are huge worldwide, and tourists descend into Goa in droves during the Yuletide season. Yet, it is Easter which is the most significant festival in the Christian calendar.
Christmas | celebrations
FEASTING AFTER FASTING
The joyous celebration of the Easter festival follows Lent, the 40-day penitential period of fasting and prayer.
Easter is one of few occasions in the Catholic calendar which does not take place on a fixed date.
Easter | date
BEFORE MIDNIGHT
A unique feature of the Easter service is the vigil, held prior to the midnight mass, which is far different from the Christmas midnight service.
Easter | vigil | midnight
HOLY WATER
During the Easter vigil, water is blessed. This Easter Water, or holy water, as it is often referred to, is later distributed to the faithful, and is also used at baptisms and other church services.
Easter | mass | holy water
PASCHAL CANDLE
The Paschal candle is a big, white candle, lit during the Easter service. Adorned with the symbols of Christ's resurrection, such as a cross, the candle represents Jesus' resurrection and triumph over death.
Easter |Paschal candle | vigil
PASCHAL TIME
Easter is not restricted to one single day, Easter Sunday. In fact, the Easter, or Paschal, season spans 50 days, beginning on Easter Sunday and ending on Pentecost Sunday.
Easter | mass | liturgy
BOAS FESTAS
No village feasts are held during Lent. However, Easter heralds the onset of church feasts across Goa, the first one being the feast of Jesus Nazareth (Pejechem Fest) in Siridao village on the first Sunday after Easter.