VIGIL

(Lat. vigilium, watch.) An ecclesiastical usage, the evening before a feast day, is so termed. The observation of vigils is said by some to be nearly the oldest of Christian ceremonies. According to Lac tanti us, Jerome, and other ancient authorities, the second advent of our Saviour was expected to take place on the vigil of Enster. fhey were originally celebrated by meeting together at night (as they are still on some occasions in the Eastern ehurcb.ee), and are said thus to preserve the memory of the nocturnal a emblies of Christians in times of persecution. [s. 1320]