Passiontide in the Church of England covers the final two weeks of lent, beginning on the fifth Sunday of Lent ( Passion Sunday) and concluding with Holy Saturday. This period intensifies the focus on Christ's suffering, often featuring the veiling of crosses and images, a shift to deeper violet or Passiontide colours, and readings focusing on the Passion.

Key Aspects of Passiontide in the C of E:

Timing: Begins on the 5th Sunday of Lent (formerly Passion Sunday, now often referred to as the start of Passiontide) and concludes at the end of Holy Week.

Focus: Shifts from the earlier Lenten theme of desert temptation to the final, intense contemplation of Jesus’s suffering and crucifixion.

Atmosphere: Traditionally marked by a more sombre tone, often including the veiling of statues, icons, and crucifixes with unbleached linen or purple cloths to reflect a focus on Christ's hidden divinity during his suffering.

Liturgical Changes: While Common Worship focuses heavily on the Passion narrative, traditional practices like veiling crucifixes, which are unveiled on Good Friday, may still be observed.

Colours: Purple (violet) is traditionally used from Ash Wednesday through to the day before Palm Sunday.

This period is designed to prepare the faithful for the events of Holy Week and the Resurrection, serving as a time of deep meditation on the Passion