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Holy Week at Durham Cathedral

Easter Day Services

Holy Week is the week between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, the holiest week of the Christian year as we celebrate the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This year Holy Week begins on 29 March, Palm Sunday and ends 5 April, Easter Sunday.

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday marks the first day of Holy Week and the last day of Lent. It celebrates the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem days before his death, as crowds waved palm branches.

  • Holy Communion, 8am
  • Sung Eucharist with Procession of Palms and Reading of Passion, 10.30am
  • Evening Prayer in Galilee Chapel, 3.30pm
  • Lent Talks: Encountering God through the creative arts with Sir James MacMillan on music, 4.30pm - see more here.
  • St John Passion, 6pm

Sung Eucharist with Procession of Palms and Reading of Passion

Beginning outside of Palace Green, the clergy process into the Cathedral, echoing Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. Members of the congregation are given palm crosses, representing Christ’s victory over death on the cross. It also reminds us that, just days after his triumphant kingly arrival when people spread palm leaves on the floor for him to walk on, Jesus would be crucified.

Sunday 29 March, 10.30am

See more here

St John Passion

Durham Cathedral Choir joins forces with Avison Ensemble to perform Bach's stunning St John Passion. This unmissable concert will be conducted by Daniel Cook, Master of the Choristers and Organist at Durham Cathedral. All are welcome and no booking required.

Sunday 29 March, 6pm

See more here

Holy Monday, 30 March

  • Morning Prayer, 8.30am
  • Holy Communion, 12.30pm
  • Holy Week Eucharist for the Monday of Holy Week, 5.30pm
  • Compline, 7.30pm

Holy Tuesday, 31 March

  • Morning Prayer, 8.30am
  • Holy Communion, 12.30pm
  • Holy Week Eucharist for the Tuesday of Holy Week, 5.30pm

Holy Wednesday, 1 April

  • Morning Prayer, 8.30am
  • Holy Communion, 12.30pm
  • Holy Week Eucharist for the Wednesday of Holy Week, 5.30pm

Maundy Thursday, 2 April

  • Morning Prayer, 8.30am
  • Chrism Eucharist, Blessing of the Oils, 11am
  • Evensong, 5.30pm
  • The Liturgy of Maundy Thursday: Stripping of the Altar and the Watch, 7.30pm

Maundy Thursday: Stripping of the Altar and the Watch

During this service, we commemorate Jesus instituting the Eucharist during the Last Supper and remember his washing of his disciples' feet. In Durham’s ancient 'Judas Cup Ceremony' we reflect on his betrayal and arrest, before the altar is stripped and the cathedral is sent into darkness. This is followed by a Watch at the Altar of Repose in the Galilee Chapel, where we pray with Jesus in silence until 10.00pm.

Thursday 2 April, 7.30pm

See more here

Good Friday, 3 April

Good Friday is the most solemn day of the Christian calendar, when we remember the crucifixion and death of Jesus.

  • Morning Prayer, 8.30am
  • Good Friday: The Three Hours, 12pm
  • Evening Prayer at the Pietà, 3.15pm

Good Friday: The Three Hours

At the Three Hours Service, we commemorate the three hours that Christ suffered on the cross. We hear again the story of Judas’ betrayal, Jesus’ arrest and trial, and Peter’s denial of Jesus, before we reach Jesus’ crucifixion and death. During this time, music is interspersed between contemplative reflections, prayers and times of silence. 

Friday 3 April, 12pm

See more here

Holy Saturday, 4 April

On Holy Saturday, we commemorate the burial of Jesus and watch and wait for his resurrection, as we hear prophecies from the Hebrew scriptures about the Messiah's rising from the grave. In this service, we begin our vigil, which continues the following morning in the Easter Liturgy.

  • Morning Prayer, 8.30am
  • Holy Communion, 12.30pm
  • Easter Vigil Service of Readings, 5.30pm

Easter Day, 5 April

On Easter Day, we celebrate because Jesus died for our sins and rose again.

Easter Day Services

  • The Dawn Eucharist with Baptism and Confirmation, 5am. See more here.
  • Holy Communion, 8am
  • Sung Eucharist, 10am
  • Matins, 11.30am
  • Evensong, 3.30pm
Find out more about Easter Day services here