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Lent, Holy Week and Easter

Join us for Lent, Holy Week and Easter at Durham Cathedral, the most important festival in the calendar for Christians around the world.

Lent, Holy Week and Easter dates 2025

Ash Wednesday: 5 March

Palm Sunday: 13 April

Maundy Thursday: 17 April

Good Friday: 18 April

Easter Day: 20 April

What is Holy Week?

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. 

We walk the way of the cross with Our Lord, stand at the foot of his cross, and celebrate his resurrection.

Take part in worship

All are welcome to join a service at Durham Cathedral. You can worship with us in person or join livestreamed services on YouTube. 

See upcoming services

What is Lent?

Lent starts on Ash Wednesday and is a time where we practice humility and trusting in God, just as Jesus did. 

For 40 days and 40 nights, Jesus went into the desert to reflect and think, and Lent is a chance for us to take a step back from the stresses of daily life to connect with faith. 

During Lent, we tend to give up a bad habit or perhaps this year you might want to try something new, such as: 

  • giving up certain foods 
  • having a break from social media
  • attending a church service
  • reading more books

This year's theme for Lent within the Church of England is Living Hope. This is an opportunity to deepen our hope with God, and to connect on a deeper level, as we are reminded that God is with us at all times. Readings and reflections are available on the Church of England's website, as they explore that hope is here in times of frustration and uncertainty, along with an invitation to notice signs of hope all around us. 

What is Holy Week?

Holy Week starts on Palm Sunday, 13 April, to Easter Day, 20 April. It is the most important week in the Christian year, as we prepare to celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. During this week, we mark every day with different services, and regular visiting may feel different to usual. Read more below. 

Read more about visiting during Holy Week

Lent Talks

This Lent, you are warmly invited to Durham Cathedral as we host a series of talks every Sunday at 3.30pm during Lent. 

Each talk will be given by speakers from a range of traditions and they will introduce a special prayer which has helped them pray over the years.

Find out more here

Holy Week Services

Holy Week commemorates the last week of Jesus' life on earth, and we mark the week with different services to remember the passion of Jesus. 

See Holy Week services here

Easter Day Services

We remember as Jesus was raised from the dead, so all who trust him can know life beyond the grave.

See Easter Day services here

Royal Maundy Service

The King and Queen will be attending the Royal Maundy Service at Durham Cathedral on Thursday 17 April 2025. 

During the service His Majesty will present 152 recipients, 76 men and 76 women (signifying the age of the Monarch), with specially-minted Maundy money to thank them for their outstanding Christian service and for making a difference to the lives of people in their local communities.

Please note this service is for invited guests only. Members of the public are permitted to wait outside the cathedral to see the King and Queen, find out more below. 

Find out more here

Upcoming Services

Sung Eucharist with Procession of Palms and Reading of Passion

Sunday 13 April 2025 10:30am

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.

More info

Maundy Thursday - Stripping of the Altars and a Watch at the Altar of Repose

Thursday 17 April 2025 7:30pm

During this service, the Dean washes the feet of members of the community, and the clergy echo scenes from the Last Supper and performs the 'Judas Cup' Ceremony.

More info

Good Friday: The Three Hours

Friday 18 April 2025 12:00pm

In the Liturgy of Good Friday we mark the Death of Christ through preaching, choral music and prayer.

More info

Easter Day - The Easter Vigil, Dawn Eucharist with Baptism and Confirmation

Sunday 20 April 2025

Easter Sunday marks the day when Jesus rose again. Join us for a day of services as we triumph of light over dark.

More info

Pentecost Praise at Durham Cathedral

Sunday 8 June 2025 6:30pm

Celebrate with local churches at Durham Cathedral for Pentecost Praise, a joyous and thankful service.

More info

Guest Preacher

We're delighted to welcome our guest preacher across our Easter services, Revd Dr Kate Bruce, an RAF chaplain based at Brize Norton. Kate was previously a chaplain and Deputy Warden at St John's College Durham and is co-author of two books on women in the Bible called 'Out of the Shadows'. Kate will be preaching on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Day.

St John Passion performed by Durham Cathedral Choir and Avison Ensemble

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. This year's concert celebrates 300th anniversary of the piece.

New for this year, no booking or tickets are required.

Sunday 13 April, 6pm

See more here

Discover the secret of the Last Supper table

Used in the Maundy Thursday service, the Last Supper table may appear to be simple and roughly made, but this ordinary looking object hides a beautiful and intricate interior.

Learn more about this object

The Easter Candle

The Paschal or Easter candle is a large, white candle kept in churches to represent Jesus Christ. In medieval times, the great Paschal candlestick of Durham Cathedral was an astonishing sight, reaching almost to the top vault of the roof!

Discover more about this fascinating object