Discover Lent, Holy Week and Easter at Portsmouth Cathedral
Join us at Portsmouth Cathedral for a variety of services and events throughout Lent, Holy Week, and Easter when we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and explore and grow our faith.
Lent is a season of preparation and repentance, leading up to the commemoration of Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection. Holy Week is the final week of Lent, when we follow Jesus’ journey from Palm Sunday to Good Friday. Easter is the most joyful and glorious season of the Christian year, when we celebrate Jesus’ victory over sin and death.
At Portsmouth Cathedral, we have something for everyone, whether you are a regular worshipper, a visitor, or someone who is curious about Christianity. Here are some of the highlights of what we are offering this year…
Lazarus Raised – An exhibition of paintings, prints and drawings by Garrick Palmer, daily from 14 February to 14 April. The work was previously shown at Portsmouth Cathedral in the late 1950s, and we are delighted to collaborate with The Jack House Gallery once again to exhibit the work, including several other pieces made over subsequent years, of this local artist.
Half Term Family Activity Days - Come along to our free Half Term Family Activity days in February Half Term. No booking required. On Monday 12 and Tuesday 13 February, from 10am to 3pm in the Cathedral, you can take part in a ‘Build a Cathedral Trail’, have a go at building an arch and tiling a roof, and create a take home craft activity. All welcome, no need to book.
Lent Course - This Lent, we are exploring the story of Lazarus, the friend of Jesus who was raised from the dead. Through the art of Garrick Palmer we will explore the themes of life, death and the Christian hope of resurrection. The course runs on Wednesdays at 7.30pm, starting on 21 February, and is open to all.
Holy Week Addresses - In her three Holy Week addresses, Canon Harriet, our Canon Chancellor and Vice Dean, will invite us to reflect at the end of our Lenten exploration of Lazarus Raised. The addresses will be followed by Compline, a short and peaceful service of night prayer. The addresses will take place on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week at 8:00pm.
Holy Week and Easter Services - We will mark the events of Holy Week and Easter with a variety of services, from the joyful procession of palms on Palm Sunday, to the solemn liturgy of Good Friday, to the festive celebration of Easter Day. You can find the full list of services and their times on our website.
We’re also pleased to be joined by visiting preacher for Holy Week, the Revd Christine Smith, who has worked in religious publishing for many years and is currently Publishing Director of Hymns Ancient & Modern. Christine is founder and director of the Festival of Preaching, run in association with the Church Times, and hosts regular online retreats, she is also an Associate Priest at St John the Baptist, Winchester.
We hope that you will join us for some or all of these events and services, at our welcoming and inclusive Cathedral. For more information, please visit our website or contact us. We look forward to welcoming you to the Cathedral of the Sea.