The journey from Maundy Thursday, through the solemnity of Good Friday, to the joy and hope of Easter Sunday was deeply moving. Maundy Thursday’s Eucharist of the Last Supper led the congregation into the heart of Christ’s love and sacrifice, while the Watch of Prayer provided a powerful time of stillness and reflection in front of the ancient candle-lit Chapel of the Holy Sepulchre.
On Good Friday, The Reverend Canon Dr Judith Maltby delivered the addresses during the Three Hours service, drawing on the poetry of Vassar Miller to guide the congregation through the pain and hope of the Passion.
Easter Day was a celebration of light, life, and resurrection. The Cathedral was filled with glorious music conducted by Andrew Lucas, Interim Director of Music, creating a real sense of joy as all those present proclaimed the risen Christ together.
Throughout Holy Week and Easter, Winchester Cathedral was delighted to welcome large congregations, with a full cathedral reported for the Easter Vigil, the Easter Day Eucharist and Festal Evensong. Communicant numbers across the Triduum and Easter Day showed a 13% overall increase compared to 2024. Growth was seen at the Diocesan Chrism (+69%), the 3 Hours (+4%), and the Easter Vigil (+31%).
Canon Dr Roland Riem, Interim Dean of Winchester Cathedral commented: “We rejoice that so many wished to engage with the Cathedral’s worship over Lent and Holy Week, whether in person or online. So many in the Cathedral team contributed to the worship of the season, and I thank them all, as this year seemed a particularly rich feast for the faithful. It was a particular delight to receive this feedback from a worshipper: ‘no-one who experienced that can be in any doubt as to the integrity, excellence and security of Winchester’s continuing choral tradition!’ The many positive comments we have received encourage us to press on with the current work of consolidation and growth.”
