The Dean has prepared a visual journey through Holy Week: an image for each day from within the cathedral, together with a reflection and prayer. We will the daily reflections onto our website each morning.

Easter Day

The tomb is open and empty, and a flash of golden roses is placed in the opening of the tomb – an image of the Risen Christ.

The cathedral is full of wonderful flower arrangements, and a mass of lilies – each one in memory of a departed loved one – lines the steps of the tomb and in many parts of the cathedral.

Oh, how we will miss the beauty of our cathedral on this ‘day of days’ – how we shall miss being able to make our Easter Communion -  but we have our memories and these will sustain us as we rejoice in the Risen Christ – and we shall look around us as see glimpses of that risen life – in the world of nature – in our prayer and reading of the Scriptures -  in acts of love and kindness, which come to the fore in this great poem by a 16^th century writer.

 

Most glorious Lord of life, that on this day,

   Didst make Thy triumph over death and sin:

   And having harrow’d hell, didst bring away

   Captivity captive, us to win:

This joyful day, dear Lord, with joy begin,

   And grant that we for whom Thou diddest die

   Being with Thy dear blood clean wash’d from sin,

   May live for ever in felicity.

And that Thy love we weighing worthily,

   May likewise love Thee for the same again:

   And for Thy sake that all like dear didst buy,

   With love may one another entertain.

So let us love, dear love, like as we ought,

   Love is the lesson which the Lord has taught.

 

Edmund Spenser, 1552-99

To listen to the Dean's musical journey through Holy Week, recorded by our cathedral choir, and with a commentary and introduction please click here.