Holy Week begins at Norwich Cathedral

Norwich Cathedral marked the beginning of Holy Week with a Palm Sunday procession through the city and a beautiful performance of the St Matthew Passion by the Cathedral Choirs.

It was the start of a busy programme of services and events open to all at Norwich Cathedral this Holy Week and Easter, including musical meditations, reflections and all the traditional services.

The Dean of Norwich, the Very Revd Dr Andrew Braddock, said: “In troubled times, the story of Holy Week and Easter speaks of God’s love overcoming hatred and death. That message is as relevant as ever.”

On Sunday morning, Norwich Cathedral’s Clergy and Choir joined together with members of St Peter Mancroft Church outside The Forum for the traditional Litany of the Palms before processing through Norwich. Accompanied by a donkey, the procession travelled along the city’s streets before arriving at Norwich Cathedral for the 10.30am Sung Eucharist.

Saturday evening saw Norwich Cathedral Choir, Norwich Cathedral Chamber Choir and Norwich Baroque join together to perform Bach’s musical masterpiece St Matthew Passion in the Cathedral Nave.

Today (Monday 14 April) Clergy from across the Diocese of Norwich gathered at the Cathedral for the Chrism Eucharist meanwhile the first of the Cathedral’s Holy Week reflections and musical meditations are taking place this evening.

Holy Week Reflections led by Canon Susanna Gunner will take place at 7pm Eucharists on Monday 14, Tuesday 15 and Wednesday 16 April and at 1pm on Good Friday.

The evening reflections will also link to musical meditations which follow at 8pm. Monday’s musical meditation will see baritone Dhilan Gnanadurai and pianist Caroline Jaya-Ratnam perform Bach’s cantata BWV 82 Ich habe genug. On Tuesday Norwich Cathedral’s Master of Music Ashley Grote will play organ music by Bach for Passiontide and on Wednesday Norwich Cathedral Chamber Choir will perform sacred choral works by Henry Purcell.

As we move closer to Easter Day, the times for Norwich Cathedral’s main services are as follows:

Maundy Thursday (17 April) Eucharist of the Last Supper, 7pm

Good Friday (18 April) At the Foot of the Cross, 11am Good Friday Meditation, 1pm Solemn Liturgy, 2pm

Holy Saturday (19 April) Easter Vigil and Confirmations, 8pm

Easter Sunday (20 April) Festal Eucharist, 10.30am Festal Evensong, 3.30pm

On Easter Monday (21 April), the Cathedral’s Master of Music Ashley Grote will give a free organ recital at 11am.