The story of Jesus’ journey through Holy Week and Easter will be told anew at Bradford Cathedral through a programme of services and events .
The Revd Canon Ned Lunn, Canon for Intercultural Mission and the Arts, said,:
“The story of Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday, at the threshold between acclaim and abandonment, triumph and tragedy, as Christ crosses into Jerusalem. That evening, Handel’s Messiah becomes part of this same unfolding drama: music that traces Jesus’ journey across the ultimate border between heaven and earth, revealing a God who steps across every human boundary to make all things belong.
‘From procession to vigil fire, from lament to alleluia, we tell the colourful story of Jesus in beauty, silence and song. In this place that is both home and destination, ordinary yet transcendent, we invite Bradford and beyond to walk this pilgrim way with us. Through these ancient and ever-new rhythms, we seek to create a generous welcome to the world, trusting that here all may discover, afresh, the God who changes lives and transforms communities.‘
Choral Evensong during Monday and Tuesday of Holy Week will see Bradford Cathedral Choir singing Thomas Tallis’ ‘The Lamentations of Jeremiah’ a two-part composition that sets five verses of the Biblical book of Lamentations to music and is accompanied by a gradual extinguishing of candles.
The Liturgy of Maundy Thursday continues to re-tell the story of Jesus’ passion for the world with a depiction of the washing of the disciples’ feet, remembering him in the sharing of bread and wine, and then keeping ‘The Watch’ until his arrest at midnight.
On Good Friday, the traditional three hours that mark the crucifixion will be kept in two services. At 12noon the Revd Duncan Milwain will lead the Meditations around the Cross, a service of readings, reflections, music and silence. At 1:30pm, the Liturgy of Good Friday offers an opportunity to meditate on Jesus’ crucifixion through choral music, silence, the reading of The Passion according to St John, the Reserved Sacrament (Holy Communion), and the symbolic burying of the cross in St Aidan’s Chapel.
On Holy Saturday from 1pm – 2:30pm there will be a ‘Messy Easter’ service, an exploration of the events of Holy Week that is suitable for all ages with craft activities, Bible stories, songs, drama and food. Spaces are limited for ‘Messy Easter’, so please book your place via Bradford Cathedral’s website.
Later on Saturday, the 4th April, the Easter Vigil will retell the story of the resurrection through ancient prophecy, the lighting of a fire, and the sharing of Holy Communion. The Revd Canon Jonathan Triffitt, Interim Dean of Bradford, will be preaching at this service.
Finally, on Easter Day, there will be services at 8am (Holy Communion from the Book of Common Prayer), Choral Eucharist at 10:30am with the Rt Revd Toby Howarth, Bishop of Bradford, leading and preaching, and Choral Evensong at 3:30pm.
Some of these services will be streamed online.
More details can be found on the Bradford Cathedral website, where you can also find videos all about Holy Week and Easter, alongside resources available for use by schools.
