How does one begin to observe vigils?

[Gregory Erickson]

Christ is in our midst!

There is a lot of information on how to pray and fast, but I have yet to see instruction on vigils? Does a person start slowly or jump in with both feet first? Is the observance attached to fasting? I know we must pray during vigils, but are there other things we can do during that time?

[Herman Blaydoe]

A "Vigil" in the Orthodox sense is a defined service, like the Liturgy or Vespers. Technically it is a combination of Vespers, Compline, and Matins, sometimes referred to as "All Night Vigil". A sample of the structure can be seen at this link: Vigil to St. Sergius (http://www.st-sergius.org/services/menaion/St-Sergius.html).

Of course, there are also informal vigils kept, like over the casket of a loved one before burial and some parishes keep a vigil after the Burial of Christ service on Great and Holy Friday. More information is available at this link: Participating in Holy Vigil (http://www.antiochian.org/1185). One custom I have seen observed is to read various Akathis services, but I don't believe this is an "official" Orthodox practice (although I certainly don't see any harm in it.)

[Gregory Erickson]

Herman,

Thank you for your response. I'm sorry I didn't clarify earlier; what I meant by vigil wasn't Liturgical Vigils, but neptic vigils, as in, the kind of vigil a spiritual father or mother would recommend.

...but your links are very useful and are greatly appreciated! http://www.monachos.net/mb/clipart/happy.gif

[M.C. Steenberg]

Dear Mr Gregory Erickson,

You wrote:


Thank you for your response. I'm sorry I didn't clarify earlier; what I meant by vigil wasn't Liturgical Vigils, but neptic vigils, as in, the kind of vigil a spiritual father or mother would recommend.

The manner of intense, ascetic vigil to which I think you are referring, is something for which there are no broad or set 'rules' or canons, precisely because these are by their nature extremely varied, as suited to the capabilities, needs, maturity and blessing of the person undertaking them. They are, according to Orthodox praxis, not to be undertaken 'willy-nilly' (an expression I've just been reminded I am rather fond of, since encountering it this past week in a 19th-century English translation of a medieval saint's life!), but under the guidance and with the explicit blessing of a knowledgeable spiritual father. As such vigils are usually individual activities, done in solitude, they are thus open and prone to all the manner of deception and harm that can come in solitude -- which is why the strict demands on being given a blessing and guidance.

INXC, Matthew

[Gregory Erickson]

M.C. Steenberg,

Thank you for your response! I have indeed finally found someone who could enlighten me on the praxis and the traps involved in this discipline. And now it appears that everyone is on the same page, so to speak.

I am grateful to everyone for their concern and responses.