HOLY WEEK AND EASTER DAY AT SALISBURY CATHEDRAL

Over thirty services and events take place in and around the Cathedral during Holy Week and its climax of Easter Day, including performances of two of Bach’s greatest choral masterpieces and a dramatic street pageant ‘The Way of the Cross’ (WOTC), organized by Churches Together in Salisbury.

Jeremy Davies, Canon Precentor at the Cathedral and Director of the WOTC, said “Holy Week 2010 will be a heady mix of quiet reflection and silent waiting, dramatic liturgy, musical performances, children’s worship and theatrical presentation. We hope to welcome many hundreds of people to Salisbury and the Cathedral.”

On Saturday 27 March at 7.30pm, Salisbury Musical Society and Chelsea Opera Group Orchestra are joined by soloists Ruth Jenkins, Mary Bevan (sopranos), Charlotte Stephenson (contralto), Peter Bamber (tenor) and Marcus Farnsworth (bass) to perform Bach’s Mass in B Minor, regarded by many as one of the most inspiring expressions of faith. On Wednesday 31 March at 7.00pm, the Cathedral Choir is joined by Sarum Orchestra and Olivia Robinson to perform his sublime setting of the St John Passion. Both concerts are conducted by David Halls, and tickets are available in advance from Salisbury Playhouse box office, 01722 320333.

The regular pattern of services will continue during Holy Week but there is no Evensong on Good Friday or Easter Eve. Confessions will be heard on Monday 29 and Tuesday 30 March at 4.30pm in the Audley Chapel.

On Palm Sunday, 28 March, , the 10.30am service includes the Liturgy of the Palms, a Procession and the Eucharist of the Passion. Those attending should assemble on Choristers Green.

On Monday 29 and Tuesday 30 March from 7.30pm – 9.00pm, the Bishop of Salisbury, Dr David Stancliffe, leads two special Holy Week Devotions based on the St John Passion, where he reflects on Bach’s own faith and how it is expressed in the music and use of the biblical text. Compline follows. On Maundy Thursday, 1 April , the Bishop of Salisbury presides at the 11am Eucharist of the Chrism and Re-affirmation of Vows to which all Clergy and Lay Ministers from the Diocese are invited. The Eucharist of the Lord’s Supper at 7.30pm includes the Washing of Feet. This service is followed until midnight by the Watch of the Passion.

The Good Friday Devotion, 2 April from 12 noon to 1.30pm, is led by the Bishop of Sherborne, Dr Graham Kings, who also preaches at The Liturgy of Good Friday at 1.30pm. At 4.00pm there is a special Service for Children and their Families.

In the evening, over 5000 people are expected to take to the streets of Salisbury to follow and become participants in The Way of the Cross 2010, a dramatic re-enactment of the story of Holy Week from Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem through to his death and resurrection. Beginning in the High Street at 7.00pm, this huge torch-lit passion pageant with over two hundred actors and musicians arrives at The Close at 8.30pm and reaches its climax in the Cathedral at about 9.30pm. WOTC 2010 is led by the Bishop of Ramsbury, Stephen Conway, and sponsored by Churches Together in Salisbury. For further information visit www.thewayofthecross2010.com

Easter Eve, 3 April, is observed as a day of waiting, watching and silent prayer with the Nave kept as an area for quiet meditation and prayer. At 7.30pm Vespers for the Burial of Christ will be followed by an All Night Vigil.

Easter Day, 4 April, services begin at 5.00am with the Bishop presiding at the Dawn Liturgy which starts on the lawn at the West Front of the cathedral where a large bonfire is lit. Breakfast follows in the Chapter House, tickets £3.50 per adult (children free) from Susan Branch, 01794 340204. The week moves to its triumphant conclusion with The Eucharist and Blessing of the Easter Garden at 10.30am with Mozart’s Coronation Mass sung by the cathedral choir with an orchestra led by Daphne Moody. Festal Evensong at 3.00pm includes Howells’ St Paul’s Service and Handel’s joyous anthem Worthy is the Lamb from Messiah.

Easter and Holy Week Events leaflet