The Diocese of Chester and Chester Cathedral have announced a schedule of live-streaming worship and music to mark Holy Week.
As the symbolic centre of the diocese, Chester Cathedral attracts people from parishes right across the county during Holy Week. This Easter all worship, prayer and music will be broadcast to hundreds of people online as the Cathedral adapts in a time of closed church buildings.
The Dean of Chester, Tim Stratford, says: “Prayer has been offered at Chester Cathedral and in hundreds of parish churches across the county for many centuries, and despite the difficult circumstances, we are continuing that tradition online throughout Holy Week. You are very welcome to join us.”
In normal times Chester Cathedral would be the physical setting for Maundy Thursday services, one of the most significant days in the Christian calendar, at which sacramental oils would be blessed and distributed around the diocese for use throughout the following year.
On Good Friday, hundreds would pack into the Cathedral to remember Jesus’ betrayal and crucifixion.
And on Easter Day, hundreds would celebrate Christ’s resurrection, and the dawning of a new world in which love triumphs over death. The services that take place in Holy Week and on Easter Day are some of the most powerful of the whole Christian year.
The Dean says: “Since the earliest days in the life of the church, people have marked the events of Holy Week, following Jesus from his triumphal entrance into Jerusalem on the day that we call Palm Sunday, to the last supper at which he gave his disciples the commandment that they should love one another, through to his betrayal, suffering, death, and resurrection.
“This year as we celebrate the promise of new life through Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, we will pray for our nation and the world in these difficult days.”
The Acting Bishop of Chester, Bishop Keith Sinclair, will lead worship from his home as part of the online service from Chester Cathedral on Maundy Thursday, and on Easter Day. He said: “I want to thank Chester Cathedral for making this possible. Their worship and music over the past few weeks, live-streamed from the Cathedral, has been an anchor in an uncertain and anxious time for many.
“If you are able, let’s turn to Chester Cathedral this Holy Week and join them in worship online. At a dark time for our nation, we remember Jesus and his promise of new life through his victory over death.”
The schedule for Holy Week is:
HOLY MONDAY – 6 APRIL
5.30pm – Evening Prayer (on Zoom)
7pm – Service of poetry and readings for Holy Week followed by Dupre Passion Symphony (Published to YouTube)
HOLY TUESDAY – 7 APRIL
5.30pm – Evening Prayer (on Zoom)
7pm – Service of poetry and readings for Holy Week with organ music (Published to YouTube)
HOLY WEDNESDAY – 8 APRIL
5.30pm – Evening Prayer (on Zoom)
7pm – Stations of the Cross (Published to YouTube)
MAUNDAY THURSDAY – 9 APRIL
11am – Diocesan Maunday Thursday Eucharist with Bishop Keith
7pm – Cathedral Eucharist (on Zoom)
GOOD FRIDAY – 10 APRIL
1pm – Devotion and Prayers with Frances Ward (YouTube)
EASTER SUNDAY – 12 APRIL
10am – Easter Eucharist with Bishop Keith (YouTube)
Some of the services will be broadcast live via Zoom or YouTube, and all of the services will be available via YouTube after the event for people to enjoy in their own time.
If you wish to join the Cathedral via Zoom, you will require a password. For full details, please go to chestercathedral.com/stream