Holy Week 2026

Greetings,                                                               

Easter is one of the holiest times of year for us, beginning with Holy Week, leading up to the death and resurrection of Jesus, which are central to our identity as followers of Jesus.

Throughout Holy Week, from Palm Sunday when we mark Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem we begin the final week of his life, leading us to the three holiest days of our Christian Year. These three days are sometimes referred to as the Easter Triduum, beginning Thursday evening and ending Saturday evening. In our worship we mark them as one service, from the opening words of Maundy Thursday through the dismissal at the Easter Vigil. We move with Jesus as he gathers with his closest disciples, his friends, to celebrate the Passover meal, through the darkness of his suffering and death, before celebrating his resurrection. None of these events happen in isolation but are deeply connected to each other.

The services are also full of symbolism. Our Maundy Thursday service commemorates the final meal which Jesus shared with his disciples, his closest friends. The meal itself was a Passover celebration marking the Israelite redemption, of death “passing over” the first born through the blood of the lamb on their door posts. In our own celebration we remember Jesus’ command to love one another as he has loved us symbolized in the washing of feet. Followed by sharing the bread and wine, symbolic of his body and blood offered for us. As the service continues Friday, we walk the “Way of the Cross” symbolic of Jesus’ journey from his trial before Pilate to his death on the cross. As well, in the Solemn Liturgy that follows we are invited to come and kneel (or stand) before a large wooden cross, symbolic of Jesus’ cross, as we reflect what his suffering and death mean in our lives. Finally, we gather on Saturday as the sun is setting on the third day, marking the end of that day and beginning of a new day according to Jewish tradition. We gather to remember and read the stories of God’s ongoing redemption of humanity from the Fall to the resurrection. Symbolically, we move from darkness to light and joyously celebrate Jesus’ resurrection with the first Communion of Easter. It is only then that the service that began Thursday comes to completion as we are dismissed to live as Easter People, sharing the good news and following in Jesus’ way. For me it is only having been part of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday that I am truly able to rejoice in the resurrection of Easter.

The services of Holy Week are deeply meaningful, inviting us into the story that is at the heart of our faith and our relationship with God through Jesus. You will find a list of services following this letter. Please join me this Holy Week and Easter as we journey together.

In Peace and Hope,

 Rev. Dana Dickson, Incumbent Trinity Anglican Church Bradford