All are very welcome to join us as we observe Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten Season with a special service of the Holy Eucharist with the Imposition of Ashes. The Choir of St Oswald's will be joined by the Choir of St Mary's College, Durham University at this service.

‘And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

(Matthew 6:16-18, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition)

Setting:
Mathias: Communion Service

Hymns:
95
532
110
598

Psalms:
51:1-18

The Collect of the Day:

Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing that you have made and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent: create and make in us new and contrite hearts that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may receive from you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

The Post Communion:

Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be for us both a sacrifice for sin and also an example of godly life: give us grace that we may always most thankfully receive these his inestimable gifts, and also daily endeavour to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

'By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; you are dust, and to dust you shall return.’

(Genesis 3:19, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition)

Words from Forty Days and Forty Nights:

Shall not we thy sorrows share,
and from earthly joys abstain,
fasting with unceasing prayer,
glad with thee to suffer pain?

G. H. Smyttan 1822–1870 and Francis Pott 1832–1909, Common Praise: A new edition of Hymns Ancient and Modern (2000) #95

***Unless otherwise stated, all hymns are from Common Praise: A new edition of Hymns Ancient and Modern (2000).***

***Please note, Midweek Holy Communion from the Book of Common Prayer will still take place at 10:00am on this date; please see the Midweek Holy Communion / Matins page for further details, including prayer intentions for this day from the Anglican Communion Daily Prayer Cycle and the Durham Diocesan Daily Prayer Cycle. The Durham Diocesan Monthly Deanery prayer intention for February 2026 is Hartlepool Deanery. All are very welcome.***

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As part of Durham Vocal Festival 2026, Voices of Hope are collaborating with Northern Spirit Singers to perform Johannes Brahms: Schicksalslied and Liebeslieder and Frank Martin: Mass for Double Choir.

Tickets are available by clicking on 'MORE INFO' below.

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Durham University Palatinate Orchestra's Palatinate Ensemble presents Beethoven's Fifth Symphony.

Please click on 'MORE INFO' below for further details and to book tickets.

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Durham University Classical Ensemble presents Beethoven's Fourth Symphony.

Please click on 'MORE INFO' below for further details and to book tickets.

We join our friends at Durham Cathedral for a special celebratory Choral Evensong and Procession to the Feretory to mark the Feast of St Cuthbert of Lindisfarne, who is often regarded as the Patron Saint of Durham and the North of England.

This event is particularly significant for our Parish, as King Oswald of Northumbria's head is buried with Cuthbert in Cuthbert's tomb, which is located in the Shrine at the Cathedral.

This service begins in the half-light with candles and incense and the great replica of the Lindisfarne Gospels, and ends with a procession by the whole congregation to the Shrine of St Cuthbert in the Feretory. Everyone is very welcome.

Drinks in the Cathedral will follow the service, to which all are also warmly invited.

Choir:
Durham Cathedral Consort of Singers with the Lay Clerks and Choral Scholars and Junior Consort

Guest Preacher:
Rhidian Brook – Novelist, Screenwriter and Broadcaster

A Pilgrimage Walk from Chester-le-Street to Durham via Finchale Priory, as part of Durham Cathedral's St Cuthbert celebrations.

Pilgrims are invited to gather at St Mary & St Cuthbert's Church Parish Centre, Chester-le-Street for refreshments from 9:00am, ahead of a short service of Morning Prayer at 9:30am, prior to departing at 10:00am.

Walking pilgrims are also welcome to join later at Finchale Priory, during the lunch break from 12:30pm, before the group departs for Durham at 1:00pm.

Arrival at the Cathedral will be in good time for a special celebration of the Eucharist at 4:00pm.

Travel: You can get to Chester-le-Street by train (a 15-minute journey from Durham) or by local bus; Arriva service X12 from St Mary's - Coxhoe, the Seven Stars Inn near St Mary's - Shincliffe, and St Oswald's - Durham or Go North East service 21, X21 or 50 from Durham Bus Station. A bus transporting people to Finchale Priory will leave Durham, County Hall at 12:15pm (with free car parking that day). The bus to Finchale costs £7.00 per person. You can book the bus to Finchale Priory or sign up for the walk from Chester-le-Street by clicking on 'MORE INFO' below.

This is a very special experience where people from across the UK who come to Durham for this walk and service are welcomed. Come on your own or with friends and enjoy a very moving journey walking in the steps of the saints.

All are very welcome.

A Festal Eucharist will be held at Durham Cathedral in honour of St Cuthbert. The Bishop of Jarrow will preside and the preacher will be The Very Reverend Doctor Philip Plyming, Dean of Durham.

The service will also provide those in attendance with an opportunity to bid farewell to Bishop Sarah as she leaves Durham to become Bishop of Ely.

The service will be sung jointly by Durham and Newcastle Cathedral Choirs. The setting will be Kodaly Missa Brevis and the anthem will be Dupré Tantum ergo.

All congregational seating is unreserved and the service will last about one hour.

All are very welcome.