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Holy Week at Durham Cathedral

Easter Day Services
Maundy Thursday at Durham Cathedral

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 13 April, Palm Sunday and ends 20 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 in Jerusalem days before his death, as crowds waved palm branches.

  • Holy Communion, 8am
  • Evening Prayer in Galilee Chapel, 3.30pm
  • Lent Talk with The Very Revd Dr Philip Plyming, Dean of Durham, 5pm - see more here.

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 13 April, 10.30am

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. 

Sunday 13 April, 6pm

Visiting during Holy Week

As we prepare to welcome The King and Queen to Durham Cathedral for the Royal Maundy service on Thursday you may notice some differences to visiting times and worshipping locations. See more below.

  • Monday 14 April: The cathedral is closed from 11am - 12.30pm due to a service. The Shop, Restaurant and Museum remain open.
  • Tuesday 15 April: Open as usual. The Museum and Chapter House will close at 2pm.
  • Wednesday 16 April: The cathedral is closed all day. The Shop and Undercroft will remain open as normal, accessed through The College. Services will be taking place in St Oswald's Church, Durham.
  • Thursday 17 April: The cathedral is closed until the afternoon due to the Royal Maundy Service. The Museum and Chapter House are closed all day.
  • Friday 18 April: The cathedral is only open for prayers and reflective visiting only.
  • Saturday 19 April: Open as usual.
  • Sunday 20 April: The cathedral is only open for prayers and reflective visiting.

Holy Monday

  • Morning Prayer, 8.30am (L)
  • Sung Eucharist with the Blessing of the Oils and Renewal of Vows, 11am (L)
  • Evening Prayer, 5.30pm (L)
  • Compline, 8.45pm (L)

Stations of the Cross

Join us as we journey through the cathedral taking pause to pray at the 'Stations of the Cross' as we remember Jesus Christ on the day of his crucifixion. 

Monday 14 April, 7.30pm

Holy Tuesday

  • Morning Prayer, 8.30am (L)
  • Holy Communion, 12.30pm
  • Evening Prayer, 5.30pm (L)
  • Compline with Address, 7.30pm (L)

Holy Wednesday

Maundy Thursday

  • Morning Prayer, 8.30am (L) - This service will take place at St Oswald's Church, Durham.
  • Royal Maundy Service, 11am - By invitation only.
  • Holy Communion, 12.30pm - This service will take place at St Oswald's Church, Durham.
  • Evening Prayer, 5.30pm (L) - This service will take place at Durham Cathedral.
See all Maundy Thursday and Royal Maundy here

Maundy Thursday: Stripping of the Altar and the Watch

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

The preacher will be The Reverend Dr Kate Bruce, an RAF chaplain based at Brize Norton. Kate was previously a chaplain and Deputy Warden at St John's College Durham.

Thursday 17 April, 7.30pm. This service will take place in Durham Cathedral. (L)

Good Friday

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

  • Morning Prayer and Litany, 8.30am (L)
  • Evening Prayer of the Burial of Our Lord at the Pietà, 3.15pm (L)

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 silences. The preacher will be The Reverend Dr Kate Bruce. 

Friday 18 April, 12pm (L)

Holy Saturday

Holy Saturday is a continuation of the sorrow of Good Friday, as we remember the disciples' hopelessness in the wake of Jesus' death on the cross. We also look forward to the resurrection of Jesus on Easter Day.

  • Morning Prayer, 8.30am (L)
  • Easter Vigil Service of Readings, 5.30pm

Easter Day

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
  • Festal Eucharist, 10am (L)
  • Matins, 11.30am
  • Evensong, 3.30pm