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The first recorded Easter Sunrise Service was an impromptu gathering in Herrnhut, Germany. Early on Easter morning 1732, a small group of young Moravian men went to the local cemetery for a special time of worship.
The next year, the group invited their entire congregation to join them, and a tradition was born. Within a few years, Easter sunrise worship was a staple of Moravian congregations.
The small group was known as a band, a term the early Methodist movement also used. The first Methodists and the Moravians shared some connections. John Wesley was impressed with the calm faith displayed by a group of Moravian missionaries during a storm on their journey from England to Georgia.
He was on board the same ship and found himself fearing for his life. He wanted to have the faith the Moravians had and so went to learn from them and his methodical way in which he worshiped and experienced his faith.
He would then befriend the leader of the Moravians, Nikolaus von Zinzendorf, and this led Wesley to a much more personal and real experience of the ‘peace that passeth all understanding’ (Philippians 4:7 KJV).
Zinzendorf would later say the Easter Sunrise Service was rooted in the tradition of the Greek Orthodox Church. He was probably referring to Easter Vigils held through the night on Easter Saturday, and immediately followed by Easter worship on Sunday morning.
The cemetery was an important part of these first gatherings. Just as the women went to the tomb on the first Easter Sunday, these early celebrations happened at the graves of the faithful. Some of the early worship services included a time of caring for the cemetery grounds.
While a cemetery may seem to be a morbid place for worship, it serves to remind the congregation that Jesus’ resurrection is a foretaste of the resurrection of the faithful.
Remember, the second century A.D. Christians worshipped in the Catacombs of Rome, not necessarily because they were hiding from authorities, but because they believed in eternal life and wanted to feel close to those who felt had gone to their heavenly homes.
Some will remember the words of the prophet Isaiah, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined” (Isaiah 9:2 NRSV). Sometimes the world around us can seem very dark, personally and even culturally, but in Christ we have a light of hope, the very presence of God in the midst of us.
Today, many congregations gather facing east to watch the sunrise. With the coming of a new day, and especially during the early days of Spring, we are reminded of new life through Christ Jesus who brought salvation for all.
This Easter, celebrate at sunrise with the Columbus Ministerial Alliance on Sunday, April 20 at their Annual Ecumenical Easter Sunrise Service, 6:45 a.m. at Beason Park.
Gather as a larger community of faith for worship, singing and praise. Bring your own chair and please be seated before the 6:45 a.m. start.
