Holy Week & Easter

The most significant event in the Christian story is the week following Jesus’ final entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday). During this week our church services take us through the events that led up to him being accused, tried and crucified, and laid in a tomb. The story does not end with his death, but on the third day Jesus rose from the dead appearing to his disciples.

Palm Sunday 2 April

Palm Sunday marks the start of Holy Week, the final week of Jesus’ life. We remember Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. The crowds welcomed him as a king, waving Palm leaves and celebrating his arrival.

08:00	Holy Eucharist with Sermon with Distribution of Palms
10:00	Palm Sunday Procession We meet at Speakers' Corner being led by a donkey through the streets of the city, as we remember Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem.
10:30	Palm Sunday Choral Eucharist Following the procession, we enter the Cathedral for our Sunday worship. Hear the Gospel of the Passion and celebrate the Eucharist.
15:30	Choral Evensong for Palm Sunday

Tuesday 4 April

19:30

Tenebrae
We move from light to darkness and then after the dramatic ‘Strepitus’, light is restored.

Maundy Thursday 6 April

Maundy Thursday marks the beginning of the Great Three Days; The Triduum.

11:00	The Chrism Eucharist Blessing of Oils and Reaffirmation of Ministerial Promises.
19:00	The Eucharist of the Last Supper We come together to celebrate the Eucharist and recall the first time that Jesus did this with his disciples. Dramatically, at the end of the service the Cathedral is ceremonially stripped of all its hangings.
20:30-22:00	The Watch Following on from the Eucharist of the Last Supper we follow Jesus into the Garden of Gethsemane, heeding his call to his disciples to watch and pray with him.

Good Friday 7 April

12:00-15:00	The Good Friday Liturgy This powerful and dramatic service marks the hours Jesus hung on the Cross. The service is in FOUR parts, commencing at 12:00, 12:45; 13:30 and 14:15, you are invited to stay for the whole liturgy or attend one or more sessions, but we ask that you arrive and leave as quietly as possible to aid the prayer at the beginning or end of each part.
19:30	Churches Together in Lichfield We gather at the cross together in unity to give testimony to the love of Christ for the whole world.

Holy Saturday 8 April

Besides preparing and decorating for Easter, the building is kept dark and quiet as we reflect on Jesus lying in the stillness of his tomb after the Crucifixion.

09:00	Preparing the Preparers A short service with a focus on praying with those who are setting up the Cathedral for the Easter celebrations.
16:00	A service of prayers in commemoration of the past Bishops of Lichfield. Prayers and thanksgivings are offered for the ministries of the past bishops of the diocese.
17:30	Evening Prayer and ‘In Memoriam’ We reflect upon the time when Jesus was in the tomb, and take the opportunity to think about those we know who have died. During the service, the names of those who have contributed to the Easter flowers in memory of a loved one are read out.
20:00	Easter Vigil This service, full of light, drama and music, is the first service of Easter as begins our celebration of the Easter season. Witness the new light of Easter with the lighting of the New Fire and the great Paschal Candle. Hear the story of our salvation unfold as we sit in a short candlelit vigil awaiting the cry that Jesus is risen from the dead; we acclaim the Risen Christ with fanfare and great celebration.

Easter Sunday 9 April

8:00

The Holy Eucharist

10:30

Choral Eucharist
We sing our Easter praises in this joyful Eucharist on this great day.

15:30

Solemn Choral Evensong

Our Easter celebrations continue as our Cathedral Choir sing Evensong, and we process around the church with great joy.

Easter Kids Activities

Monday 10 - Friday 14 April 10:00-12:00 & 14:00-16:00

Join us to think about new life and new beginning, and the miracle of Easter.

Get crafty and create some art with your little ones, and leave your masterpiece to spread joy and hope to all who visit Lichfield Cathedral during Easter.
Activities are FREE; donations are welcomed.

Easter Monday 10 April

09:00	Morning Prayer
12:30	Eucharist for Monday in Easter Week
17:30	Choral Evensong Our Easter praises continue as former Choristers of the Cathedral come together to sing Evensong and fill the building with joyful music.

The usual pattern of worship resumes from Tuesday 11 April. Click here for more information.

Holy Week & Easter

Holy Week & Easter

Palm Sunday 2 April

Tuesday 4 April

Maundy Thursday 6 April

Good Friday 7 April

Holy Saturday 8 April

Easter Sunday 9 April

Easter Kids Activities

Easter Monday 10 April

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