Chichester Cathedral Holy Week and Easter services
Chichester Cathedral has confirmed its services for Holy Week and Easter.
A cathedral spokesman said: “Journey with us through Holy Week as we recall Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, his last supper with the disciples on Maundy Thursday, his crucifixion on Good Friday, and celebrate the joy of his resurrection at Easter.”
Sunday, March 29
8.00am Holy Communion according to the Book of Common Prayer, said
9.00am Service for Children, Families and Caregivers
10.00am Choral Mattins
11.00am Sung Eucharist with Procession of Palms also livestreamed
“Our service begins outside on the south-east corner of the Cathedral Green. Palms are blessed, and we process along West Street into the Cathedral, recalling Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and the beginning of his journey to death and resurrection. The service continues with a dramatic reading of the Passion.”
3.00pm Choral Evensong, livestreamed
Monday, March 30 and Tuesday, March 31
8.00pm Choral Compline with Address. A service of quietness and reflection before rest at the end of the day, beginning with a short address. Sung by the Otter Consort of the University of Chichester (Monday) and the Cathedral Choir (Tuesday).
Wednesday, April 1
12 noon: Diocesan Chrism Eucharist, also livestreamed.
“The Chrism Eucharist brings the clergy and laity of the diocese together to renew their commitment to follow Christ. The clergy renew their ordination vows before the Bishop, and the Oils of the sick, of baptism and of chrism are blessed. At the end of the service, the oils are distributed for use in parishes throughout the diocese.”
Celebrant and Preacher: The Lord Bishop of Chichester
8.00pm: Tenebrae: The Service of Shadows
A service of readings, reflection and organ music played by Cathedral organist Charles Harrison. Candles are lit, and extinguished, as we recount Jesus’ last days.
Thursday, April 2, Maundy Thursday
10.30am Holy Communion according to the Book of Common Prayer, said
7.00pm Eucharist of The Lord’s Supper, also livestreamed
“This service commemorates the Last Supper, the institution of the Eucharist, and recalls Jesus’ supreme example of service – washing the feet of his disciples. With music sung by the Cathedral Choir. The service concludes with a Vigil of Prayer at the Altar of Repose, which represents Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, until 10.00pm.”
Celebrant and Preacher: The Dean
Friday, April 3, Good Friday
10.00am The Easter Story Retold: A Good Friday Service for Children, Families and Caregivers.
“In this special service for children, families and caregivers, we follow in the footsteps of Jesus from the Last Supper he had with his friends through the events of Good Friday, pausing at different places in the Cathedral to think about what happened. The service will end with hot cross buns.”
12 noon – three hours’ devotion also livestreamed. A sequence of reflections on the Passion story. The Celebration of The Lord’s Passion begins at 1.30pm. During this service, the Cathedral Choir sings St John’s account of the Jesus’ trial and crucifixion. Celebrant and Preacher: The Dean.
Saturday, April 4 – Easter Eve
7.30pm: Easter Vigil with Baptism and Confirmation.
“From a new fire the Paschal Candle is lit, and the light is shared throughout the Cathedral. We celebrate the victory of light over darkness, of life over death, as we hear scriptural readings telling of our creation by God and how he restores us to new life. New Christians are then baptized and confirmed by the Bishop of Chichester, and welcomed into the family of the Church, before we all share in the First Eucharist of Easter.”
Celebrant and Preacher: The Lord Bishop of Chichester
Sunday, April 5 – Easter Day
A celebration of Jesus’ glorious resurrection from the dead in these services:
8.00am Holy Communion according to the Book of Common Prayer said
9.00am Service for Children, Families And Caregivers
10.00am Choral Mattins
11.00am Sung Eucharist of Easter Day also livestreamed
Celebrant and Preacher: The Lord Bishop of Chichester
3.00pm Choral Evensong also livestreamed