The Liturgy of Maundy Thursday begins with the reception of the Holy Oils (for the sick, for baptism, and oil of Chrism) blessed by the Bishop in the catheral that morning.
At the end of the Eucharist, the Blessed Sacrament is taken in procession to the side chapel- the Altar of Repose- where it remains as a focus for prayer throughout the evening.
The high altar is then stripped bare, ready for the barrenness of Good Friday.
The first service on Good Friday is the Stations of the Cross, which usually takes place outside. We follow Jesus on the day that takes him to the cross.
From noon, the “preaching of the Passion” is a simple service of hymns and addresses.
At 2pm, the choral Liturgy of Good Friday takes place. At this service, the Passion according to St John is read.
A wooden cross is brought into church as a focus for devotion, and Holy Communion is given from the reserved sacrament.
On Saturday evening, the Easter Vigil begins in darkness, as the Paschal Candle is blessed and brought into church.
There are readings from the bible while we wait for Easter…
The lights are switched on and the church is filled with joyful music as we sing “Alleluia!”. Christ is Risen! We celebrate the first Eucharist of Easter.
On Easter Day (Easter Sunday) itself, we continue our celebrations with joyful services, including our choral Eucharist and an all-age Praise@11 service.