Lent, Holy Week and Easter 2026

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent in the lead up to Easter, with services of music and readings.

On Ash Wednesday we remember that we are simply human, we all make mistakes and we can ask for forgiveness.  We can let go of resentment and fear and grow into new life and new love.

This will be a Ministry Day in the cathedral for the Cathedral clergy who will be engaged in prayer, worship, ‘Ashes to Go’ and cleaning, all day.

12.00pm – Holy Eucharist with imposition of ashes followed by organ meditation

5.30pm – Solemn Eucharist with imposition of ashes

7.00pm – Is Reconciliation Possible in a Post Christian society? A talk by Professor James Walters. This event will take place in the Wessex Learning Centre. You can book your free ticket here.

8.00pm – Compline sung by members of the Hampshire County Youth Choir.

What is Compline?

Compline takes its name from the Latin completorium, meaning “completion.” Often referred to as Night Prayer, it is a quiet, reflective service traditionally offered at the close of the day.

An ancient tradition

The practice of saying or singing Compline dates back at least to the 6th century, and may be even older. In the early Church, prayer structured the day and was observed seven times daily. The Rule of Saint Benedict later established Compline as a final prayer period before rest, bringing the total number of daily monastic prayer hours to eight.

8.00pm – Compline

What is Compline?

Compline takes its name from the Latin completorium, meaning “completion.” Often referred to as Night Prayer, it is a quiet, reflective service traditionally offered at the close of the day.

An ancient tradition

The practice of saying or singing Compline dates back at least to the 6th century, and may be even older. In the early Church, prayer structured the day and was observed seven times daily. The Rule of Saint Benedict later established Compline as a final prayer period before rest, bringing the total number of daily monastic prayer hours to eight.

8.00pm – Compline

What is Compline?

Compline takes its name from the Latin completorium, meaning “completion.” Often referred to as Night Prayer, it is a quiet, reflective service traditionally offered at the close of the day.

An ancient tradition

The practice of saying or singing Compline dates back at least to the 6th century, and may be even older. In the early Church, prayer structured the day and was observed seven times daily. The Rule of Saint Benedict later established Compline as a final prayer period before rest, bringing the total number of daily monastic prayer hours to eight.

8.00pm – Compline

What is Compline?

Compline takes its name from the Latin completorium, meaning “completion.” Often referred to as Night Prayer, it is a quiet, reflective service traditionally offered at the close of the day.

An ancient tradition

The practice of saying or singing Compline dates back at least to the 6th century, and may be even older. In the early Church, prayer structured the day and was observed seven times daily. The Rule of Saint Benedict later established Compline as a final prayer period before rest, bringing the total number of daily monastic prayer hours to eight.

8.00pm – Compline sung by Index Cantorum

What is Compline?

Compline takes its name from the Latin completorium, meaning “completion.” Often referred to as Night Prayer, it is a quiet, reflective service traditionally offered at the close of the day.

An ancient tradition

The practice of saying or singing Compline dates back at least to the 6th century, and may be even older. In the early Church, prayer structured the day and was observed seven times daily. The Rule of Saint Benedict later established Compline as a final prayer period before rest, bringing the total number of daily monastic prayer hours to eight.

5.30pm – Passiontide Concert sung by the Winchester Cathedral Chamber Choir 

To mark the beginning of Holy Week, a Palm Sunday Procession and Eucharist will take place, departing from Winchester Castle, outside the Great Hall to Winchester Cathedral, accompanied by Dermot the donkey, palms and hymns.

Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, who was welcomed by the people waving palm branches.

8.00am – Said Holy Communion
10.10am – Procession from The Great Hall
10.30am – Sung Eucharist
3.30pm – Choral Evensong

Holy Monday in the Church of England is the second day of Holy Week, following Palm Sunday and preceding Easter. It marks the beginning of the most solemn part of the Christian year, with services often focusing on reflection, prayer, and recounting the events leading to Jesus’ crucifixion, such as the cleansing of the Temple.

7.30pm – The Seven Last Words of Christ with talk by The Bishop of Winchester, Rt Revd Philip Mounstephen – God’s Work of Reconciliation – Ephesians 1: 3-10; 2: 1-10.

7.30pm – Tenebrae with talk by The Bishop of Southampton, Rt Revd Rhiannon King – Christ breaks down barriers – Ephesians 2: 11-22.

7.30pm – Pergolesi’s ‘Stabat Mater’  with talk by The Bishop of Basingstoke, Rt Revd Kelly Betteridge – Reconciliation and the Church’s Calling – Ephesians 3: 1-13.

What is Pergolesi’s ‘Stabat Mater’?

Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater (1736) is a Baroque musical setting of a 13th-century Latin hymn, widely utilized within Anglican (Church of England) traditions—particularly during Holy Week.

Maundy Thursday takes us into the heart of the city of Jerusalem to commemorate the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles. We are also led to the heart of love, by the Saviour who serves and washes the feet of his friends as they shared their final meal. After supper they go out to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus asks his disciples to stay awake while he prays. Judas, the betrayer, comes with soldiers and Jesus is arrested.

11.00am – Diocesan Chrism Eucharist
7.30pm – Eucharist of the Last Supper – Preacher, Revd Dr Nathan Eddy, Co-Director of the Council of Christians and Jews

More information about Revd Dr Nathan Eddy
Nathan has worked as a university chaplain and as a minister in the United Reformed Church. He recently earned a PhD in Hebrew Bible from Luther King House, accredited by the University of Manchester, and is passionate about Jewish and Christian approaches to the Bible and to how Christians and Jews can work together in Britain today. He lives with his wife Clare, an Anglican vicar, on the Lisson Green estate in West London.
Discover more about the leadership of the Council of Christians and Jews here.

Good Friday is a day in which profound emotion is expressed within quiet and solemn worship. During the Three Hours service we journey with Jesus through the pain and anguish of false trial and condemnation, to carrying his cross through the streets to crucifixion and death.

12.00pm – The Three Hours including the Litany in Procession – Preacher, Revd Dr Nathan Eddy, Co-Director of the Council of Christians and Jews

More information about Revd Dr Nathan Eddy
Nathan has worked as a university chaplain and as a minister in the United Reformed Church. He recently earned a PhD in Hebrew Bible from Luther King House, accredited by the University of Manchester, and is passionate about Jewish and Christian approaches to the Bible and to how Christians and Jews can work together in Britain today. He lives with his wife Clare, an Anglican vicar, on the Lisson Green estate in West London.
Discover more about the leadership of the Council of Christians and Jews here.

Holy Saturday ends the Lenten season, falling on the day before Easter Sunday. This date is sometimes referred to as ‘Easter Eve’. It is a day for quiet reflection and preparation for the celebration of the resurrection.

7.30pm – Easter Vigil, Service of Light and First Eucharist of Easter

On Easter Sunday we celebrate with joy the resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Lord. This is the turning point in history. We now live in the light and truth of the resurrection.

8.00am – Said Holy Communion
9.45am – Festal Mattins, sung by
11.00am – Festal Eucharist Boy and Lay Clerks
3.30pm – Festal Evensong