Holy Week and Easter - llandaffcathedral.org.uk
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Holy Week and Easter

All are warmly welcome to join us during Holy Week and Easter. In Lent, we commemorate the forty days that Jesus Christ spent in the desert, fasting and resisting the temptations of the Devil. In its observance, we reflect on our own faith, seeking to turn from sin and remain faithful to Christ. We prepare ourselves for the crucifixion of Christ, his dying for our sins, and his Resurrection on Easter Day. There will be special services and world-class music throughout Holy Week. Please scroll down this page to find out more.

A Sequence of Music, Readings and Prayers for Passiontide

Sunday 22 March

We mark the start of the Passiontide Season with a service that traces the Life of Christ, recalling the mystery of Christ’s incarnation, the sorrow of his Passion, and the glory of his resurrection. This service is sung by the Majestas Consort. Plainsong, Readings from scripture and prayers are accompanied with music by Morales, Palestrina, Tavener, Victoria, J. S. Bach, and Helen Williams

View Order of Service

View the Livestream here

Services on Palm Sunday

Sunday 29 March

Palm Sunday marks the start of Holy Week, and is the day on which we come together to remember Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. All are welcome to join us for this service, which will also be live-streamed.

Diocesan Chrism Eucharist

Monday 30 March

All are welcome to join the Clergy of the Diocese as they celebrate the Chrism Mass.

At the Chrism Mass, the Bishop gathers around her all those who exercise various forms of ministry in the Diocese who, with her, renew their commitment to the service of Jesus Christ. The whole people of God join the Bishop in praying for their ministers. The Bishop then blesses the oils that will be used in the care of the sick, at baptisms, and at the ordination of priests this year.

St John Passion

Tuesday 31 March

Join Llandaff Cathedral Choir for our Holy Week Concert and enjoy an evening of beautiful organ and choral music. The concert will include Gerald Finizi’s festival anthem ‘Lo, the full final sacrifice’, and Bob Chilcott’s St John Passion. 

Bob Chilcott’s setting of words from St John’s Gospel is a dramatic yet optimistic retelling of the Passiontide story. The work combines 13th and 17th century English poetry with King James Bible text settings and, as with Bach’s great Passion settings, the role of the Evangelist is taken by the tenor soloist, who provides a melodious narrative throughout.

Tickets: 
Adults £15 
Students & under 18s £8.50

The Easter Triduum

Time stands still, and three days become one, from Maundy Thursday to Easter Eve. We watch Jesus wash feet and share his Last Supper. We commemorate the ‘triumph’ of the Cross and look on the empty tomb. A new fire is kindled, and light is restored to the earth. He is risen!

Maundy Thursday

Thursday 28 March

7.30pm | Solemn Eucharist – The Celebration of the Last Supper

On Maundy Thursday during Holy Week, we commemorate the Washing of the Feet and the Last Supper. All are warmly welcome to join us for this special Eucharist, taking place at 7.30pm.

Missa Misericordias Domini Op. 192 Rheinberger
Upon your heart Daley
Ave Verum Corpus Mawby
The Lamentations of Jeremiah Bairstow

9.00pm | The Watch of the Passion followed by Sung Compline

The watch of the passion begins at 9pm in the Lady Chapel followed by compline led by members of the Cathedral Choir at 10pm.

O vos omnes qui transitis per viam Croce
On the Mount of Olives Daley
Bleib bei uns Rheinberger

View the Order of Service here

View the Livestream here

Good Friday

Friday 29 March

All are welcome to join us on Good Friday, the most solemn day in the Christian year when we remember the Crucifixion. It will be led by The Revd Canon Dr Ryan Green, Canon Theologian. This is a three hour devotion starting a midday, with the choir joining the service from 1.30pm.

10.00am | Messy Easter – An All-Age service for Good Friday and Easter

12.00noon | The Preaching of the Cross

Preacher – The Rev’d Dr Ryan Greene Canon Theologian

1.30pm | The Liturgy of the Cross

The St John Passion Price
The Reproaches Sanders
Ave Verum Corpus Byrd
Christus factus est Bruckner

View the Order of Service here

View the Livestream here

Saturday 30 March Easter Eve

7.30pm | The Easter Vigil

Join us on Easter Eve for this special service as we await the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. This service will also feature the Baptism of those who wish to publicly confirm their faith and trust in Jesus.

View the Order of Service here

View the Livestream here

Services on Easter Day

Sunday 31 March