Sunday worship at Christ Church begins with the traditional service of Matins, said from the Book of Common Prayer.
Come along to our earlier Sunday morning Holy Communion service, said from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer.
Join us on Sundays at 11 am for our weekly Choral Eucharist, including a Mass setting and Anthem sung by the Cathedral Choir (or Cathedral Singers of Christ Church outside of school term times). Followed by refreshments.
Holy Week at Christ Church begins with our Palm Sunday procession to the Cathedral, singing hymns and led by a donkey. We meet in the Memorial Garden (at the gate to Christ Church Meadow from St Aldates), where palm crosses will be given out and blessed before we process down St Aldates together. At the Cathedral, the Passion Gospel is sung during our Choral Eucharist, and the Revd Canon Peter Moger will give the first of this year's Holy Week sermon series.
Choral Evensong is usually sung six nights per week, Tuesday-Sunday.
Join us for Evensong on Palm Sunday, sung by the Cathedral Choir. The service includes the first of this year’s series of sermons to guide us through Holy Week, preached in 2026 by the Sub Dean, The Revd Canon Peter Moger.
A quiet, said service for the beginning of the day, using Daily Prayer from Common Worship.
Our daily said celebration of Holy Communion from Common Worship.
Join us on Monday evenings for the restful reflection of said Evening Prayer.
This special service of Evening Prayer for Holy Monday includes sung hymns and organ accompaniment. A sermon will be preached by The Revd Canon Peter Moger as part of our Holy Week series of sermons and addresses.
Every year, as part of the Holy Week programme, we offer a free performance of a choral work. This year, the Cathedral Choir and Frideswide Voices join forces with acclaimed chamber orchestra Britten Sinfonia to perform Sir James MacMillan’s Seven Last Words from the Cross. Commissioned by the BBC in 1994, this evocative work sets Christ’s final words alongside texts from the Holy Week liturgies. The performance is an act of worship, and includes reflections from the Sub Dean, the Revd Canon Peter Moger. Admission is free and no booking is required.
Said Holy Communion according to the 1662 Book of Common Prayer is held at the Cathedral every Wednesday lunchtime.
Our evening worship Wednesday in Holy Week features Philip Moore's 'Via Crucis', performed by our Sub-Organist Richard Moore. The Via Crucis, or the Way of the Cross, is a devotional practice based on the path Jesus walked on his journey from condemnation to crucifixion. This inspired Eric Milner-White's 'A Procession of Passion Prayers (1950)', which are realised in music this evocative work. The Revd Canon Peter Moger will also give an address during this service as part of our Holy Week Series. This performance is offered as an act of worship; therefore, entrance is free and no booking is required.
We welcome friends from across the Diocese to this special service on Maundy Thursday. At the Chrism Eucharist, oils for use in baptism, confirmation and anointing for healing will be blessed and distributed for use over the coming year. Our bishops, clergy and Licensed Lay Ministers will also renew their ordination and licensing vows and re-affirm their commitment to ministry. If you would like to robe and join the procession in this service, please notify the Diocese in advance of the day at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/eucharist-with-the-blessing-of-oils-and-renewal-of-ministerial-commitment-tickets-1983770066671
On Maundy Thursday, we remember the Last Supper, Jesus’ institution of the Holy Communion, and begin the Sacred Triduum, the three-day cycle of worship which leads to Easter. Following Jesus’ example during the meal, the Dean washes the feet of some members of the congregation. After communion, the altars and sanctuary are stripped of their hangings and the choir and clergy leave in disorder, reflecting the scattering of the disciples and Judas’ betrayal. The service ends in darkness, and we leave in silence - or remain for The Watch.
Recalling Jesus’ pleas that the disciples watch with him through the night, we keep a silent vigil in the Lady Chapel following the Liturgy of Maundy Thursday until midnight. The Cathedral will be open until midnight - simply ask at the Lodge on St Aldates and you will be admitted.
On Good Friday, the second day of the Triduum, we focus on the Cross. The service begins in the same silence that was kept through the night; the Passion Gospel is sung, and a great cross is brought in for contemplation and veneration before communion is administered. Good Friday reveals the paradox of Christian faith: that, through the suffering and death of Christ, God brings healing, life and hope to all.
Come with us on a journey around the Cathedral as we explore the story of Holy Week and Easter together in this interactive and family-friendly service. Followed by hot cross buns and hot chocolate.
Come along to this reflective Choral Evensong for Good Friday, including the conclusion of this year's Holy Week sermon series, preached by The Revd Canon Peter Moger, Cathedral Sub Dean.
A quiet, said service for the beginning of the day, using Daily Prayer from Common Worship.
Our daily said service of Holy Communion from Common Worship (held at a later time on Saturdays).
A said service of Holy Communion, according to the 1662 Book of Common Prayer.
At the climax of Holy Week and the culmination of the Triduum, we complete our journey together. The Paschal Candle is lit and we hear Scripture passages which tell of God’s saving work. Baptism and Confirmation follows, with all invited to renew their own baptismal promises. The service ends with the celebration of the first Eucharist of Easter. Join us as we celebrate Christ risen - Alleluia!
We begin our celebrations on Easter Day with a service of Choral Matins, sung by the Cathedral Choir. Our sermon is preached by The Dean, The Very Revd Professor Sarah Foot.
He is risen indeed! Alleluia! We come together on this most special of mornings to celebrate the Easter miracle. The Bishop of Oxford, The Rt Revd Dr Steven Croft, will preside at the service and preach our Easter sermon.
We conclude Holy Week with the joyful sound of Festal Evensong. All are welcome!
You're never too young to wonder! Wonderlings is our free children's group pre-school children from birth and their adults, which takes place on Mondays during school term-time from 10am-12pm in the Priory Room (just off the cloisters). Expect gathering time with free play, circle time with Bible-themed activities and interactive music making, story time with a thought for the day, and refreshments and a cuppa at the end. We hope that a Wonderlings session will awaken a sense of curiosity and awe in everyone, whatever their age and stage!