York Minster has today announced its programme of services, events and activities to mark Lent, Holy Week and Easter 2025.

The Lent Cross, the central symbol of the Christian Faith, will be suspended from the Central Tower on Shrove Tuesday and will remain in place until The Day of Pentecost.

The six metres tall installation, constructed from wooden scaffolding boards in the Minster’s workshop, serves as a visual reminder throughout the season of Jesus' journey to the cross and beyond. 

Beginning on Ash Wednesday (5 March), Christians in York and across the world will keep a season of penitence culminating in the observance of Holy Week. This week recalls the passion, crucifixion and burial of Jesus, and on Easter Day (20 April) the joyful celebration of his resurrection from the dead.
 

The Very Reverend Dominic Barrington, Dean of York, said: "The journey through Lent and Holy Week to Easter is tumultuous. We follow Jesus through periods of fear, betrayal, persecution and death, but also through friendship, hope, trust and glorious resurrection. At York Minster, we follow this journey from beneath the great cross that hangs in the cathedral's nave. At a time when we live with so much uncertainty in our lives, the cross reminds us of the certain promise of God’s enduring and undying love for the world.

"I am thrilled that the Reverend Canon James Walters, founding director of the London School of Economics' Faith Centre, will be joining us in Holy Week to deliver a sermon series called Bearing Fruit from the Seed that Dies. A leading expert in interfaith leadership and religious literacy, he will bring a unique perspective to the story of Christ’s passion at a time of considerable global upheaval.

"I hope that many will join us both in person and online for our worship through this holy season, and will discover anew the power of this, the ultimate story of redemption and resurrection.”

Key events and services are:

Ash Wednesday – Wednesday 5 March 
The Minster will be given to prayer and worship on Ash Wednesday. All are welcome, whether to join acts of worship, to pray on their own or to experience the space. 
Services with Imposition of Ashes: 
7.50am: Holy Communion with Imposition of Ashes 
12.30pm: Holy Communion with Imposition of Ashes 
5.30pm: Choral Eucharist with Imposition of Ashes (with Allegri’s Miserere) 

Lent Compline – Thursdays 13 March – 10 April, 8.30pm  
On Thursdays during Lent (other than on Thursday 6 March), The Ebor Singers, an associate choir of York Minster, will sing Compline in the Quire.  
The ancient monastic service of Compline is a contemplative, candle-lit moment of stillness and simplicity. This form of night prayer brings the day to a close and prepares us for sleep in the knowledge we are known and loved by God. Traditionally after this service we are encouraged to enter into a period of silence. 

Handel’s Messiah – Saturday 22 March, 7pm  
Experience George Frideric Handel’s glorious Messiah performed by the world-renowned Choir of York Minster in the cathedral’s awe-inspiring Nave, alongside an accomplished orchestra and celebrated soloists. 

Minster Mash-Up: Mothering Sunday – Saturday 29 March, 10am
At this special event, families are invited to join a short service where we give thanks for those who mother us and for our Minster, the Mother Church of the Northern Province.

Holy Week sermon series from the Director of the LSE Faith Centre
The Reverend Canon James Walters, Director of the Faith Centre at the London School of Economics will preach throughout Holy Week, offering a series of sermons entitled Bearing Fruit from the Seed that Dies, based on the fruits of the Spirit from the fifth chapter of the Epistle to the Galatians. 
Themed sermons will be given at the following services:
'Love' at the Procession and Eucharist for Palm Sunday, 13 April 
'Joy' at Midday Eucharist and Compline, Monday 14 April 
'Peace' at Compline, Tuesday 15 April 
'Patience' at Midday Eucharist and Compline, Wednesday 16 April 
'Kindness' at the Sung Eucharist with Washing of Feet, Thursday 17 April 
'Generosity, Faithfulness & Gentleness' at The Three Hours’ Devotion with the Liturgy of Good Friday, Friday 18 April 
'Self control' at The Vigil and First Eucharist of Easter, Saturday 19 April 

Palm Sunday – Sunday 13 April  
Palm Sunday is the first day of Holy Week and the Sunday before Easter Day. On this day, we commemorate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem and reflect upon the Passion story. 
Procession and Eucharist for Palm Sunday, 10.30am 
The service begins outside the Minster with the blessing of palm crosses before the congregation, led by a donkey, processes into the cathedral as a reminder of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. The service then turns from triumph to sorrow as the Choir of York Minster sings the Passion Gospel, marking the beginning of Jesus’ journey towards the cross.  
Choral Evensong, 4pm 
A service of Choral Evensong which prepares us for our walk with Christ through Holy Week. 
Stainer’s Crucifixion, 7.30pm
The Ebor Singers, an associate choir of York Minster, will perform John Stainer’s Crucifixion. The work incorporates congregational hymns with a recounting of the passion of Christ. 

Compline in Holy Week, Monday 14, Tuesday 15 & Wednesday 16 April, 7.30pm  
This beautiful candlelit service of night prayer or ‘compline’ will be sung by The Ebor Singers, an associate choir of York Minster. Compline is a form of prayer said at the completion of the day, and traditionally after this service we are encouraged to enter into a period of silence.  

Chrism Eucharist – Tuesday 15 April, 11am
The Chrism Eucharist takes its name from Chrismation (anointing). The Archbishop of York will preach and will bless the oils used at services of baptism, confirmation, and ordination and for healing. The Archbishop will gather clergy from around the Diocese to renew the vows made at their ordinations, remembering the ministry to which they are called. 

Maundy Thursday – Thursday 17 April 
Sung Eucharist with Washing of Feet, 7pm
The Liturgy of Maundy Thursday recalls the final meal Jesus shared with his disciples in the upper room, before his arrest and trial. We remember too that Jesus called us to love and serve one another through the washing of feet. As we bless and share bread and wine, we follow his command to proclaim his death until he comes in glory.
The Watch, 8.30pm
The Watch follows the Maundy Thursday Liturgy. The Watch – a type of vigil – recalls the time Jesus spent in the Garden of Gethsemane before his arrest, trial and crucifixion.

Good Friday, Friday 18 April  
On Good Friday, Christians remember the crucifixion of Jesus. The Minster will be given to prayer and worship on Good Friday. All are welcome, whether to join acts of worship, to pray on their own or to experience the space. 
Good Friday Family Service, 10am  
A service for all the family reflecting on the events of Good Friday and on hope in the face of loss.
The Three Hours’ Devotion with the Liturgy of Good Friday, 12noon 
We begin the Three Hours’ Devotion with a service of meditation, music and prayers with periods of silence and addresses. At 1.30pm, the formal Liturgy of Good Friday will commence with the singing of the Passion, prayers of intercession and the veneration of the cross.  
Choral Evensong for Good Friday, 5.30pm  
During this service the Choir of York Minster will sing Antonio Lotti’s anthem for 8 voices, Crucifixus etiam pro nobis, a traditional passiontide piece.

Holy Saturday – Saturday 19 April  
The Vigil and First Eucharist of Easter, 8pm
This Eucharist moves from darkness to light. We recall God’s saving actions through time, culminating in the Resurrection in the light of the first Easter Day.
The Easter Vigil marks the end of the emptiness of Holy Saturday, and leads into the celebration of Christ’s resurrection. The Archbishop of York with preside at this service and candidates will reaffirm their faith through confirmation.

Easter Day, Sunday 20 April 
On Easter Day, Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. The Minster will be given to prayer and worship on Easter Sunday. All are welcome, whether to join acts of worship, to pray on their own or to experience the space. 
Holy Communion from the Book of Common Prayer, 8am  
A simple said service in the traditional language of the Book of Common Prayer. 
Choral Matins on Easter Day, 10am 
Following the pattern of Matins from the Book of Common Prayer, with sung psalms, canticles and an anthem. 
Festal Eucharist, 11am
We greet the risen Lord with joy, proclaiming Alleluia, Christ is risen, He is risen indeed! The Archbishop of York will preach and preside at this service. 
Festal Evensong, 4pm 
A great day of rejoicing culminates in an uplifting service of Choral Evensong.