As Jonah spent three days and nights in the belly of the fish

"As Jonah spent three days and nights in the belly of the fish and was 
delivered up sound again, all of us who have passed through the three 
stages of our present life on earth-the beginning, middle, and end-rise 
again. For our present time consists of three intervals: the past, the 
future, and the present. Thus, the Lord spent three days in the earth as a 
symbol to teach us clearly that our resurrection shall take place after 
these intervals of time have been fulfilled. Our resurrection shall be the 
beginning of the future age and the end of this. In that age, there is 
neither past nor future, but only the present."

The Mystery of Jonah by St. Methodius. ----------------------------------------------- 

"For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great 
fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of 
the earth."  Matthew 12:40

Draw nigh unto God and He will draw nigh unto you.