St Paul’s will be holding a range of special services and events ranging from processions and concerts to sunrise gatherings and litanies in the run up to and during Easter.
Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral, the Very Revd Andrew Tremlett, commented:
“As we begin the season of Lent, the Cathedral will be welcoming people from across London and further afield to join us in preparation for and celebration of Easter.
“After the time of reflection during Lent and Holy Week, Easter at the Cathedral is a time of joy and renewed faith as we remember the sacrifice made by Christ and his resurrection, inspiring hope among all those at our services and beyond.
“The Cathedral’s special services are welcome to anyone and will bring together visitors from different backgrounds, areas and communities, unified in our gratitude to God for the gift of resurrection.”
Throughout the Lent and Easter period, all services at the Cathedral will be free and unticketed to members of the public. This includes the Palm Sunday Procession, marking the beginning of Holy Week. The service involves a procession outside the Cathedral led by the Bishop of London, blessing palms in the shape of crosses. The day acts as a reminder of Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem before his arrest where he was greeted by a cheering crowd, who lay palm leaves on his feet.
The world-famous St Paul’s Cathedral Choir will also be performing to congregations during this period, leading the sung Eucharist on the Maundy Thursday Chrism Mass and the Good Friday Choral Mattins and Litany in Procession, where they will sing responses, canticles and the psalms for the day.
To celebrate Easter Day itself on Sunday 31st March, St Paul’s will hold a series of six special services. The day begins with a Dawn Eucharist at 5:45am, where participants gather together on the West Steps in the early morning light. There will then be services throughout the day, including the Easter Day Festal Evensong, with specially-selected choral works sung by the incredible voices of the Cathedral Choir. The day will end with the Easter Day Eucharist, including organ music and incense.
In the run up to Holy Week and Easter, visitors will also be able to attend a Cathedral concert, Bach’s St John Passion, performed by the Cathedral Choir, chorus, soloists and orchestra, depicting the events of the crucifixion of Jesus. Taking place on Wednesday 20th March, tickets for the concert are £15 for Dome area seating and £10 for the Nave and Transepts.
To find out more about the dates and timings of the special services in the run up to and during Easter, as well as how to get tickets for Bach’s St John Passion
