original_query: What is the Easter Vigil and what is its significance in traditional Christian churches?
query: What is the Easter Vigil and what is its significance in traditional Christian churches?
answer: The Easter Vigil, also called the Paschal Vigil or Great Vigil of Easter, is the first official celebration of Jesus' Resurrection in traditional Christian churches.  It's a liturgy held in the hours of darkness between Holy Saturday sunset and Easter Sunday sunrise. Historically, it's when baptisms and the reception of adult catechumens into full communion occur.  For many Western Christian churches, it's the most important liturgy of the year.