Busy Holy Week and Easter 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 Rev 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 (April 13), 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 (April 14) 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.
 
The times for Norwich Cathedral’s main Easter services are as follows:
Maundy Thursday (April 17) - Eucharist of the Last Supper, 7pm
Good Friday (April 18) - At the Foot of the Cross, 11am
Good Friday Meditation, 1pm
Solemn Liturgy, 2pm
Holy Saturday (April 19) - Easter Vigil and Confirmations, 8pm
Easter Sunday (April 20) - Festal Eucharist, 10.30am
Festal Evensong, 3.30pm 
On Easter Monday (April 21), the Cathedral’s Master of Music Ashley Grote will give a free organ recital at 11am.
 
For the full details of Norwich Cathedral’s services and events throughout Holy Week and Easter visit www.cathedral.org.uk/easter
 
Pictured top and above the Palm Sunday Procession in Norwich and, below, the Cathedral Choir sing at the St Matthew Passion concert. Pictures by Bill Smith/Norwich Cathedral.