Easter Vigil with Baptism and Confirmations, and the First Eucharist of Easter

At the climax of Holy Week and the culmination of the sacred triduum, we complete our Lenten journey together in a blaze of light. 

The Easter Vigil marks the end of the emptiness of Good Friday and Holy Saturday, and begins our celebration of Christ's resurrection. We gather in the Cathedral garden in darkness, but soon enter the church with candles to hear the ancient 'Exsultet' hymn of rejoicing. This is followed by the Baptism and Confirmation of believers (an Easter tradition dating to the earliest years of Christianity), and then the first Eastertide celebration of the Eucharist. Join us for this special and joyful service, presided at for the final time by The Bishop of Oxford, The Rt Revd Dr Stephen Croft.