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RNG Bank Salary Loan Table for DepEd Teachers

Salary Loan Table - RNG Coastal Bank RNG Bank offers salary loan for permanent DepEd teaching and non-teaching staff thru Automatic Payroll Deduction System (APDS). Features: 📍LOW INTEREST RATE 📍LOAN AMOUNT UP TO 500,000 📍5 YEARS MAXIMUM LOAN TERM 📍NO HIDDEN CHARGES 📍NO NEED TO GO TO THE OFFICE A Bank that is built with trust and integrity and committed to provide quality and safe banking services to its existing and future clients, RNG Coastal Bank, Inc . is a banking institution established in the year 1974. The Bank has 15 operating branches in the Visayas, 11 in Cebu and 4 in Bohol. Providing various financial products and services to its clients for almost 50 years, RNG Coastal Bank remains strong and continuously grows its number of branches to reach more Filipinos. Here are the branches of RNG Coastal Bank: RNG Coastal Bank Head Office Cor. Cabancalan Road, Talamban, Cebu City 6000 Labangon Branch Punta Princesa, (Labangon) Cebu City Asturias Branch Poblacion, Asturias, Ce...
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What Happened on Holy Saturday? Meaning, Traditions, and Significance

Holy Saturday, also known as the Great Sabbath, is a deeply meaningful day in the Christian liturgical calendar. It falls between Good Friday and Easter Sunday, serving as a quiet pause in the Easter Triduum (the three most sacred days in Christianity). While it may not be as widely discussed as the crucifixion or the resurrection, Holy Saturday holds significant spiritual meaning for millions of Christians around the world—including many here in the United States.

What Happened on Holy Saturday?

In this article, we’ll explore:

  • What happened on Holy Saturday?

  • Its biblical and theological significance

  • Common traditions and practices

  • How Holy Saturday is observed today in the U.S.

What Is Holy Saturday?

Holy Saturday commemorates the time Jesus Christ lay in the tomb after His crucifixion on Good Friday and before His resurrection on Easter Sunday. It is a day of waiting, reflection, and silence.

According to the Gospels, after Jesus died on the cross, His body was taken down and placed in a tomb provided by Joseph of Arimathea. A large stone was rolled in front of the tomb's entrance, and Roman guards were placed to watch over it, fearing someone might steal His body (Matthew 27:62–66).

What Happened on Holy Saturday?

1. Jesus’s Body Lay in the Tomb

The most literal event of Holy Saturday is that Jesus's body rested in the tomb, fulfilling Jewish burial customs and Old Testament prophecy. It was the Sabbath day, and no work could be done, including burial rites, so preparations were minimal.

This quiet day contrasts sharply with the trauma of Good Friday and the joy of Easter Sunday, offering believers a moment of somber contemplation.

2. Jesus Descended to the Dead (The Harrowing of Hell)

The Apostles’ Creed includes a line that has intrigued theologians for centuries: “He descended into hell.”

This refers to the belief that Jesus descended to the realm of the dead (not hell as in a place of punishment, but more like Sheol or Hades, where the righteous awaited salvation). This moment—sometimes called the Harrowing of Hell—symbolizes Christ's victory over death and His liberation of the righteous souls.

Though not detailed in the canonical Gospels, this event is supported by passages like 1 Peter 3:18–20 and Ephesians 4:9. It’s seen as the moment Jesus proclaimed triumph to the imprisoned spirits and opened the way to heaven.

Traditions and Observances of Holy Saturday in the USA

1. Silence and Reflection

For many Christians, especially Catholics, Orthodox, and some Mainline Protestants, Holy Saturday is a day of silence, mourning, and reflection. Churches remain bare and quiet. The tabernacle is empty. The altar is stripped. The mood is solemn.

2. No Mass Until the Easter Vigil

Traditionally, there is no Mass during the day on Holy Saturday. The Church waits at the tomb. However, once the sun sets, the Easter Vigil begins—one of the most beautiful and powerful liturgies in Christianity.

3. The Easter Vigil Service

The Easter Vigil, held after sunset on Holy Saturday, marks the official start of Easter. It includes several key elements:

  • The Service of Light, where the Paschal Candle is lit

  • Readings from Scripture, recounting salvation history

  • The baptism of catechumens (new Christians)

  • The first Eucharist of Easter

In the U.S., this service is often held late in the evening and draws significant attendance from both regular churchgoers and those returning to faith.

Holy Saturday and American Christianity

In the American context, Holy Saturday may not be as widely celebrated as Good Friday or Easter Sunday, but it still holds a firm place in Christian tradition.

  • Roman Catholic parishes often hold Easter Vigils rich in symbolism and community involvement.

  • Orthodox Christians in the U.S. observe it with long, ancient liturgies filled with chant and ritual.

  • Evangelical churches may focus more on Easter Sunday, but some are rediscovering the value of Holy Saturday in recent years.

It’s also a time for quiet personal reflection, often marked by prayer, reading, or fasting.

Why Holy Saturday Matters Today

In a fast-paced world that tends to avoid stillness and discomfort, Holy Saturday invites us to wait—to sit in the tension between sorrow and hope. It reminds us that sometimes, God is working even when we can’t see it. It’s a day that speaks to anyone who has ever felt stuck between despair and deliverance.

Final Thoughts

Holy Saturday may not be flashy, but its quiet power lies in its message: God is not done yet. As we prepare for the joy of the resurrection, Holy Saturday teaches patience, hope, and faith in the unseen.

Whether you're a practicing Christian, a seeker, or simply someone exploring faith traditions, Holy Saturday offers a profound space for reflection.

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