Easter, which is celebrated on the first Sunday after the Paschal full moon, will occur on March 31 this year. This date is not fixed and varies between March 22 and April 25 based on the moon’s cycle. Many Christians observe the holiday by attending Easter sunrise services. The Moravian Church, one of the oldest Protestant denominations, has been holding sunrise services since 1732. These services are rooted in Christian belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, observed at dawn as a symbolic representation of the empty tomb discovered by Christ’s followers.
The New Testament’s four Gospels recount the story of women who found Jesus’ empty tomb at dawn, which has inspired the tradition of Easter sunrise services. The message of resurrection is celebrated among the dead in cemeteries, beaches, and national parks through these services. The Moravian Church, known for its hymn singing and trombone choirs, has been holding Easter sunrise services for nearly 300 years. The first recorded sunrise service took place in 1732 in Herrnhut, Germany, by Moravian refugees of religious persecution. The tradition has spread beyond Europe, particularly to North Carolina, where Moravian settlers established longstanding services.
In Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the Moravian Church holds one of the oldest Easter sunrise services in the U.S. The Salem Congregation, representing 13 Moravian churches in the city, organizes the service which attracts thousands of attendees each year. The service includes a silent procession to the Salem Moravian Graveyard, known as “God’s Acre,” followed by hymn singing among the graves. Moravian sunrise services are known for their brass and wind musicians playing together in a band. The music is meant to signal the community to wake up and gather for worship.
Other Christian traditions also observe Easter vigil services, which can include a renewal of baptismal vows and scripture readings from sunset Saturday to sunrise Sunday. Some denominations incorporate Easter vigils with sunrise services. The Episcopal Church has a Great Vigil service that includes a four-part liturgy, reflecting the ancient practice of keeping the Easter feast. Believers would gather from darkness to dawn, ending with Easter baptisms and Eucharist. This practice emphasizes the connections between Christ’s death and resurrection, and the significance of baptism in the early church.
Various locations hold Easter sunrise services, offering diverse worship experiences to believers and non-believers alike. The tradition of sunrise services has deep roots in Christian faith and serves as a powerful reminder of the resurrection of Jesus and the hope it brings to believers. The symbolism of celebrating Easter at dawn, in the early morning light, conveys the message of new life and rebirth, highlighting the central belief of Christianity in the victory of life over death.
