Reclaim Holy Saturday
On Holy Saturday, the Early Church contemplated a cosmic triumph: the Harrowing of Hell. This ancient doctrine, rooted in Scripture (1 Peter 3:19-20, Ephesians 4:9), teaches that after His crucifixion, Christ descended into the realm of the dead, shattering the gates of Hell, liberating the righteous souls held captive, and proclaiming victory over Satan, death, and sin. Early Christians, from Ignatius of Antioch to the Cappadocian Fathers, saw this as the decisive moment when Christ’s divine power crushed the demonic stronghold, fulfilling His role as the New Adam who redeems humanity’s fall. The Apostles’ Creed echoes this: “He descended into Hell.”
The Early Church revered Holy Saturday as a day of awe, reflecting on Christ’s conquest over the infernal powers. Liturgies and homilies, like those of Melito of Sardis, vividly depicted Jesus storming Hades, binding the devil, and leading the patriarchs to glory. This wasn’t a mere footnote—it was central to the Paschal mystery, showing Christ’s total dominion over evil.
Yet, the Modern Church often overlooks Holy Saturday, reducing it to a quiet pause before Easter. We’ve lost the fire of this truth: that Christ’s descent was no passive act but a victorious raid on Hell itself. Today’s sermons rarely unpack this, focusing instead on the Cross or Resurrection, sidelining the day when Death was defeated and Satan’s grip broken. Holy Saturday is Christ’s ultimate flex—His divine power trampling demonic sin and freeing souls for eternity.
Let’s reclaim this day. Holy Saturday isn’t just a liturgical gap; it’s the celebration of Christ’s absolute sovereignty over Hell, Death, and the Devil. The Early Church got it. We should too
Christ is King
