The Taizé community is an ecumenical monastic order in Taizé, Saône-et-Loire, Burgundy, France. The community searches for communion with God through community prayer, song, silence, personal reflection and sharing.

The music of Taizé is based on simple sentences from the psalms or from scripture often sung in canon, and in many languages. Services based on this model and using the music of Taizé are held in churches of all denominations around the world.

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The ancient monastic office of Compline derives its name from a Latin word meaning ‘completion’. It offers a period of reflective quiet before rest at the end of the day but meditates also upon the end of life.

This candlelit service is sung by a gathered choir who lead the responses, psalms and sing two anthems. The service lasts about 30 minutes.

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We gather on Palace Green to hear the Gospel of the Palms, and to follow our Lord not only in procession but in heart and mind as he enters Jerusalem in royal humility to face his death.

Music includes Gibbons’ setting of Hosanna to the Son of David.

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The Revd Dr Stephen Hampton will preach his first address.

We hear Owain Park’s setting of Vinea mea electa.

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A traditional reflection on the events of Holy Week through the ‘Stations’ or scenes from the Passion of Jesus on his way to Crucifixion on Calvary.

Each station is marked by an image, reflection and music as we mark the searing events of this week.

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The Façade Ensemble present a liturgical performance of Passio, Arvo Pärt’s extraordinary treatment of the Johannine Passion narrative for soloists, choir, and instrumental ensemble.

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With the Blessing of Oils and Renewing of Ordination Vows.

President and Preacher: The Bishop of Huntingdon.

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With Washing of Feet, Stripping of the Altar and Watch of the Passion.

We commemorate Jesus’ institution of the Eucharist, the night before his death, where bread and wine are named as his body broken and his blood shed for humanity, to restore a people impoverished by sin and mortality into the endless life of God.

The president washes the feet of the people to remind us that, like our Lord, our calling is to serve others. The Revd Dr Stephen Hampton will preach the sermon.

At the end of the Eucharist we hear the Gospel narrative of Jesus’ arrest, and the altar is stripped; its richness and beauty vanishes, to be replaced by darkness, emptiness, and disarray.

We maintain a prayer vigil, a Watch in St Dunstan’s Chapel, remembering Jesus’ agony in the Garden of Gethsemane.

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Midday until c.1.15pm - Preaching of the Cross
Addresses are given by the Revd Dr Stephen Hampton, with hymns and readings.

1.30pm - 3pm - The Liturgy of the Day
With the singing of the Passion Gospel and Improperia by Victoria, and the Veneration of the Cross, in which all are invited to participate.

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A solemn act of worship. Music includes Sanders’ setting of The Reproaches.

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Preacher: The Revd Dr Stephen Hampton

Out of the darkness and sorrow of human violence emerges the light and life of God’s presence: in the risen Jesus; in God’s enduring promise to be with his people; in the transforming sacrament of baptism.

This is the first celebration of Easter, with the lighting of the New Fire and the Paschal Candle and the bringing of that resurrection light into a darkened church, the admission of new Christians to baptism and communion, and the rising of light, joy, colour and life for the first time since the events of Good Friday.

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President and Preacher: The Bishop of Huntingdon

A joyful celebration of the risen life of God’s people upon Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. Music includes the Messe
Solennelle by Langlais.

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An Orchestral Evensong including music by Stanford, Haydn and Mascagni.

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