On a visit to Athens, Victorian writer Arthur Penrhys Stanley was privileged to witness the atmospheric night-time Easter Vigil, attended by the King himself. As midnight struck, the Archbishop raised the cry of ‘Christ is risen!’, which was taken up by the whole congregation. Tapers were lit, and blazing fire ran from hand to hand in the darkness.

Suddenly the air was filled with music, cannon sounded in the distance, and fireworks went off with a startling report. The congregation turned to one another and shook hands as if they had shared some wonderful news — which they had, said Stanley, so real to them was the news of Christ’s resurrection and his victory over death.

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