THE SILENCE OF THE HOLY SATURDAY

 The Church's tradition regarding the silence observed on Holy Saturday.

 

    The profound silence enveloped the world on Holy Saturday, as a heavy calm settled over creation. The earth seemed to hold its breath, caught between despair and hope, waiting for the dawn of resurrection. Shadows lingered in every corner, and the air was thick with a sense of mourning, echoing the sorrow of a world that felt lost without its Savior. Everything lay in a suspended state, reflecting the deep stillness of this sacred day.

1. THE DAY GOD’S BODY LAY ON THE EARTH

    Holy Saturday, often referred to as Black Saturday, holds a unique and solemn place in the Church’s liturgical calendar. It is the only day when believers remember the absence of God, marking a profound stillness that envelops the world. On this day, Jesus lies lifeless in a sealed tomb, the culmination of His sacrificial journey. There are no miraculous signs or wonders, no preaching to the masses, no celebration of the Eucharist, and no words of comfort for the grieving. The God who walked among us is silent.

“And Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen shroud, and laid it in his own new tomb… and he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away.” Matthew 27: 59–60

    This day is not merely a pause between the agony of death and the glory of resurrection; it represents a significant theological chasm, a journey into the depths of what can seem like divine defeat. In this silence, hell rejoices, the apostles are plunged into despair, and the foundation of faith hangs precariously by a thread.

2. CHRIST’S DESCENT INTO HELL: HARROWING THE DEPTHS

    While the world perceived Jesus as dead, in reality, He was alive in spirit, actively descending into the realm of the dead—a place often referred to as hell—to proclaim victory and liberation to the righteous who had died before His coming. This descent was not one of defeat, but rather a triumphant invasion into the depths of despair and darkness.

 “He descended into hell.” - Apostles’ Creed

“He was put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he also went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison…”  1 Peter 3: 18–19

“When he ascended on high, he led a host of captives… In saying ‘He ascended,’ what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth?”  Ephesians 4:8–9

    This is not merely poetic language; it is a profound statement of doctrine. Christ literally invaded the underworld to conquer death, unlocking the gates of hell from the inside and offering hope and salvation to those who awaited His coming.

3. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN GOD DOES NOTHING—AND EVERYTHING?

    On Black Saturday, we are confronted with a terrifying question: What if God does not speak, heal, or save us today? The answer to this question is no less frightening: He is still at work: profoundly, invisibly, and eternally.

 “Truly, you are a God who hides yourself, O God of Israel, the Savior.”  Isaiah 45:15

    The silence of Holy Saturday is anything but inactivity; rather, it is a time of gestation and preparation for what is to come. It is reminiscent of a seed buried in the earth, waiting to break the surface and burst into bloom (John 12:24). In this way, the tomb of Jesus serves as the womb of resurrection, filled with the promise of new life.

4. SATURDAY FAITH: WHEN RESURRECTION IS PROMISED BUT NOT SEEN

    During this agonizing day, the disciples are left crushed and devastated by the loss of their leader. The women who followed Jesus wait in uncertainty, grappling with their grief. Mary, in particular, reflects deeply, her heart pierced by sorrow as she ponders the events that have unfolded. Meanwhile, the devil seems to gloat, believing he has achieved victory—yet this is a premature celebration.

 “They sealed the stone and set a guard.”  Matthew 27:66

    Despite all efforts to contain it, no seal can hold back the eternal Son of God. The events of Holy Saturday serve as a reminder that we, too, are called to embrace what might be termed “Saturday faith”, a faith that remains hopeful and steadfast. At the same time, we wait for the fulfilment of God’s promises, even when the circumstances around us appear bleak and final.

5. CHRIST’S REST IN THE TOMB: THE NEW SABBATH

God completed His creative work and rested on the seventh day (Genesis 2: 2–3). Now, on the seventh day of salvation history, Christ rests in the tomb. This moment becomes the new Sabbath.

“They took the body of Jesus… Now in the place where he was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden, a new tomb.” John 19: 40–41

    In this way, the Creator, having achieved His most significant work, the redemption of mankind, rests in death, preparing for the dawn of a new epoch that will never again set.

6. THE EASTER VIGIL: LIGHT FROM THE DEPTHS

    As darkness descends, the Church gathers in anticipation, not with loud trumpets, but illuminated by a single flame—the Paschal candle. This light cuts through the darkness, symbolizing Christ’s soul piercing through the depths of Hades.

 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”  John 1:5

    The liturgy celebrated on Holy Saturday night is a profound cosmic that unfolds:

- It begins in the deep shadows of despair,  

- Proclaims the entirety of salvation history,  

- Celebrates the initiation of new believers through the rite of baptism (Romans 6:4),  

- And joyfully declares: “Christ is risen!”

7. FROM DEATH TO DESTINY: OUR INVITATION

    Black Saturday reveals a crucial truth: God’s salvation comes not only through mighty acts but also through His profound presence amid death itself. This understanding offers us a powerful hope:

“If we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.” Romans 6:8

    Thus, we are encouraged not to fear the waiting, the weeping, or the uncertainty that accompanies darkness. Even when faced with the grave, we hold fast to the truth that God is still sovereign and present in our suffering.

CONCLUSION

    In the depths of Black Saturday, we are compelled to consider the audacious statement, “Even when all appears lost, Christ is not finished.” Within this dark silence, we uncover a thunderous truth: Death is vanquished from within its own domain.

    When life seems to bury us under the weight of silence, loss, or sin, we must remember that the tomb is only a temporary holding place. The stone will be rolled away. The light will rise. God is actively moving.

“O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory?” 1 Corinthians 15:55

Let us pray in reflective silence…  

    The man who once lay lifeless and still is now on the verge of breaking through the barrier that separates life from death, ready to transcend the finality of mortality. This momentous event could change the very fabric of reality, forever altering the world as we know it. The implications of his return from the abyss are significant, and humanity stands at the brink of an unimaginable new era.

Dr. Nicholas Macedon OCD

Carmelite Priory, Oxford.            

What's app - +91 - 9698453101

nicholasocd@yahoo.com

nicholasocd.blogspot.com/