Holy Saturday is the day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday in the Christian Holy Week. It commemorates the time when Jesus Christ's body lay in the tomb after his crucifixion and before his resurrection
. On this day, Jesus was dead, and his body was decomposing in the tomb while his disciples mourned and were fearful, often hiding for their safety
. The day is marked by silence and somber reflection, as the faithful contemplate the significance of Jesus' death and the hope of resurrection to come
. According to Christian tradition, Jesus also descended into hell (or the realm of the dead) on Holy Saturday to proclaim victory and liberate the righteous souls who had died before him, an event known as the Harrowing of Hell
. This is based on scriptural references such as 1 Peter 3:19 and is interpreted as Jesus extending his redemptive work to all who were awaiting salvation
. Meanwhile, Jesus' followers observed the Sabbath rest, and the women who had prepared spices and ointments to anoint Jesus' body were unable to complete this until after the Sabbath ended
. Guards were placed at the tomb by the Jewish leaders to prevent any tampering, aware of Jesus' prophecy about rising again
. Holy Saturday serves as a transitional day of waiting and hope, bridging the grief of Good Friday with the joy of Easter Sunday when Christians celebrate Jesus' resurrection
