[Footnote 110: In the Vatican Library is a small relic-case, marked with the monogram, of great simplicity and consequent antiquity. There is another of ivory, adorned with bas-reliefs of the resuscitation of Lazarus, Christ's apprehension etc. Plainer, Bescher. der Stadt Rom. B. 2. See also Rock's Hierurgia Vol. 2, cap 6.] CHAP. VI. ON THE CEREMONIES OF HOLY-SATURDAY _CONTENTS._ Service of Easter-eve--Ceremonies of holy-saturday-morning--Sixtine chapel. 1. Blessing of the fire and incense-procession; Paschal candle--the deacon sings the _Exultet_--triple candle--2. Baptism administered on this day: communion of children in former times--prophecies--3. The litany: invocation of Saints--change from mourning to rejoicing--High mass: sacred pictures etc.--_Alleluja_--Vespers--end of the mass: mass of Pope Marcellus--Ceremonies at S. John Laterans. Blessing of the font: baptistery--baptism of adults--litanies and confirmation--mass and ordination--Armenian catholics--their liturgy; and high mass on Easter-eve--reflections--Conclusion. "_But now Christ is risen from the dead, the first-fruits of them that sleep_". 1 Cor. XV, 20. [Sidenote: Service of Easter-eve.] I remarked in the last chapter, that anciently mass was not said either on good-friday, or holy-saturday, and I quoted Pope Innocent I, who assigns as a reason the example of the Apostles, who spent those days in mourning for their Master. It was formerly customary to celebrate mass on the night of Easter-eve or holy Saturday. Hence when Tertullian, the oldest Latin Christian writer, endeavoured to dissuade his wife from ever marrying a pagan, in case of his own death, among other arguments he used the following; "Who will tranquilly wait for you, when you are spending the night at the paschal solemnities?" S. Jerome also (in cap. 25 Matt.) says, that according to apostolic tradition, the people did not leave the church on Easter-eve before midnight. This custom continued for many ages; but Hugh of S. Victor in the twelfth century says, that in his time, in order to avoid weakness arising from long fasting, the hour anciently observed was anticipated. The service, which is now performed before noon on holy Saturday, was formerly assigned to the night of Easter-eve: and this anticipation accounts for the occasional mention of night, which it contains, as well as for the early celebration of Christ's resurrection. [Sidenote: Ceremonies of holy saturday.]