Easter programming on the BBC

Southwell Minster will bring the joy and hope of the risen Christ to the BBC on Easter Sunday with live worship on the holiest of days in the Christian calendar.

Cathedrals prepare to be part of Easter programming on the BBC.

Southwell Minster, home to the Leaves of Southwell which won the campaign by the Association of English Cathedrals to find Britain’s favourite cathedral treasure, has been chosen by the BBC to be the face of Easter Sunday this year.

This traditional celebration for Easter will be led by the Dean, the Very Revd Nicola Sullivan, the preacher is the Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham, the Rt Revd Paul Williams with seasonal hymns and choral music sung by the Cathedral Choir and congregation. It will be live from 10-11am.

The Dean of Southwell, said:

“We are honoured to celebrate the Cathedral’s Easter Eucharist with a national BBC TV audience.

“Southwell Minster is proud to be sharing our joyous worship, faith and hope in the risen Jesus Christ with everyone watching from home.”

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Justin Welby will share his Easter message of hope and resurrection live from Canterbury Cathedral on BBC Radio 4, with music from Canterbury Cathedral Choir.

Songs of Praise for Easter Sunday will come from Chester Cathedral where Katherine Jenkins will climb the 216 steps to the top of Chester Cathedral to talk to the Dean, the Very Revd Tim Stratford who explains how they mark this special time of Jesus’s resurrection.

At the Cathedral’s Song School, presenter Laura Wright hears about Handel’s infamous visit to the city, where today the choristers are rehearsing the composer’s Easter anthem ‘Hallelujah!’ from The Messiah.

Choral Evensong on R3 on Easter Sunday will be live from Chester Cathedral from 3pm-4pm.

Earlier Choral Evensong on R3 will be live from Truro Cathedral on the Wednesday of Holy Week at 4pm.

And Chester Cathedral is super proud to announce that two former choristers Elizabeth and Thomas Coxhead have had their choral setting of My Eyes for Beauty Pine chosen for inclusion in HRH The King’s first Royal Maundy service which will be held in York Minster this year.

All the music for the service, which will be attended by His Majesty The King and The Queen Consort, was personally approved by the King.

Congratulations to Elizabeth and Thomas, who will be presented to the Royal couple on the day, in having their piece included!!