Holy Week and Easter 2026
Join us in Oxford or online as we mark Holy Week and Easter
together in music, words and worship.
Easter Services
From Palm Sunday to Easter Day, there are a number of special services taking place at Christ Church to mark Holy Week and Easter.
Highlights this year include:
- Our Palm Sunday Procession together down St Aldates, led by a donkey
- A free performance by the Cathedral Choir and Frideswide Voices of James MacMillan's Seven Last Words from the Cross, accompanied by acclaimed chamber orchestra Britten Sinfonia and directed by Peter Holder
- Our popular interactive family service, 'Journeying Through Holy Week'
- A full celebration of the Sacred Triduum, the three-day pattern of choral services recalling the Passion and Resurrection with origins dating back over 1600 years
What is Holy Week?
From Palm Sunday to Easter Day, Christians around the world mark the final days of Jesus life, and the miracle of his resurrection. This ancient pattern of worship is known as ‘Holy Week’. You don’t need to have taken part in Holy Week before (or any worship at all) to join us this Easter - everything you require for each service will be in the booklet given to you as you are welcomed at the Cathedral door.
James MacMillan: 'Seven Last Words from the Cross'
Join us in the beautiful setting of Christ Church Cathedral on Tuesday 31 March at 7.30 pm for a free performance of James MacMillan's powerful Easter cantata, Seven Last Words from the Cross, by the combined forces of the Cathedral Choir, Frideswide Voices, and acclaimed chamber orchestra Britten Sinfonia, directed by Peter Holder.
Holy Sermon Series
This year's series of sermons and addresses for Holy Week will be preached by the Sub Dean, The Revd Canon Peter Moger.
Canon Peter has worked in Parish and Cathedral ministry in Yorkshire, Cambridgeshire and Scotland, including as Canon Precentor of York Minster from 2010-19. He has previously served as the Church of England's National Worship Development Officer and, as Secretary of the Liturgical Commission. Has also contributed as a composer and liturgist to a wide range of publications.
We will be uploading each of Peter's addresses to our YouTube channel, which you can visit through the link below.
Supporting Elmore Community Services
We're delighted to announce that the Cathedral Chapter have chosen Elmore Community Services as this year's Holy Week Charity. Elmore help to support adults with complex needs across Oxfordshire and the Thames Valley area, working flexibly and compassionately to empower people to build safety, stability and independence. There will be opportunities to give at each of our Holy Week services. Thank you for your support!
