We are delighted that we will be re-opening the Cathedral for public worship and private prayer on Palm Sunday 28 March

Holy Week and Easter Day are some of the most important days in the Christian year. Since the earliest days of the Christian Church, the faithful have marked the events of each day, following Jesus from his triumphal entry into Jerusalem on the day that we call Palm Sunday, through to the momentous events of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, the sheer desolation of Holy Saturday, as the Church waits by the tomb, and the joy of Easter Day as the Church celebrates the triumph of God’s love in Christ.

This year, as the coronavirus pandemic continues, our keeping of Holy Week and of the Triduum – the great Three Days commemorating Christ’s passion, death and resurrection – will be different. The restrictions and guidelines currently in place mean that some of the powerful symbols of this week, such as the Palm Sunday procession and the foot washing on Maundy Thursday, will not be able to happen. However, following last year’s Holy Week in full lockdown, it is a joy that the Cathedral will be re-opening on Palm Sunday and that we shall be able to keep Holy Week together as far as possible.

We are delighted that we be sharing in worship this year with our Diocesan Bishop, Bishop Christopher Chessun, who will be presiding at the principal liturgies of the week. He will also be presiding at the Chrism Eucharist on the morning of Maundy Thursday, at which the clergy will be invited to renew their ordination promises and the holy oils blessed. We are equally delighted that we shall be joined by Dr Paula Gooder, Canon Chancellor of St Paul’s Cathedral, as our Holy Week preacher. Paula is a renowned writer, teacher and broadcaster, and we much look forward to all that she has to share with us. Please click here to find out when Paula will be preaching during the week.

Information on how to join us online or how to register to attend a service is at the bottom of this page.

This is our programme for Holy week:

28 March - Palm Sunday                  

8.30      *Morning Prayer - Online and In person

9.00      Palm Sunday Eucharist with the Blessing of Palms and Reading of the Passion – in person only

11.00    *† Palm Sunday Choral Eucharist with the Blessing of Palms and Reading of the Passion - online and in person. Registration required if attending this service at the Cathedral.

15.00    Choral Evensong with our Holy Week preacher: Paula Gooder - in person only.

18.00    *Night Prayer (Compline) – Including an introduction to the week from Paula Gooder - online only

29 March - Holy Monday

9.00      *Morning Prayer - online and in person

12.30    Midday Prayer - in person only

12.45    *Eucharist and Address - online and in person 

17.30    Choral Evensong - in person only

19.00    *† Journey through the Passion: Readings and addresses as well as incorporating Night Prayer (Compline) led by Paula Gooder - Online and in person. Registration required if attending this service at the Cathedral.

30 March - Holy Tuesday

9.00      *Morning Prayer

12.30    Midday Prayer

12.45    *Eucharist and Address

17.30    Choral Evensong

19.00    *† Journey through the Passion: Readings and addresses led by Paula Gooder as well as incorporating Night Prayer (Compline). Registration required if attending this service at the Cathedral.

31 March - Holy Wednesday

9.00      *Morning Prayer

12.30    Midday Prayer

12.45    *Eucharist and Address

17.30    Choral Evensong

19.00    *† Journey through the Passion: Readings and addresses led by Paula Gooder as well as incorporating Night Prayer.  Registration required if attending this service at the Cathedral.

1 April - Maundy Thursday

9.00       *Morning Prayer - online and in person

11.00    *† Chrism Eucharist - online and in person. Registration required if attending this service at the Cathedral.

17.30    Evening Prayer - in person only

18.30    *† Liturgy of Maundy Thursday with Watch of the Passion until 21.00  - online and in person. Registration required if attending this service at the Cathedral.

2 April - Good Friday

9.00       *Morning Prayer - online and in person

12.00    Stations of the Cross for Good Friday – online only

13.30    *† Liturgy for Good Friday - online and in person. Registration required if attending this service at the Cathedral.

16.00    Evening Prayer - in person only

20.00    *Night Prayer – online only

3 April - Easter Eve

9.00       *Morning Prayer - online and in person

16.00    Evening Prayer - in person only

20.00    *† Easter Vigil - online and in person.  Registration required if attending this service at the Cathedral.

4 April - Easter Sunday

8.30       *Morning Prayer - online and in person

9.00       Easter Sunday Eucharist - in person only

11.00    *† Easter Sunday Choral Eucharist - online and in person.  Registration required if attending this service at the Cathedral.

15.00    Choral Evensong - in person only

18.00    *Night Prayer – online only

Services marked with a * will be streamed on our website and Facebook and You Tube platforms.

Services marked with a † are ticketed. Please book free tickets via the Cathedral’s Eventbrite site.

If you can't join us at the Cathedral there are a number of different ways for you to join us online.  You can view services direct from this website here, or our YouTube page here, alternatively you may wish to join our friendly and welcoming online congregation at our Facebook page here.