People from across the Diocese gathered at the Cathedral and parishes over Easter to celebrate Christ’s resurrection, sharing in worship marked by rich symbolism, music, and joyful ceremony.
The Cathedral’s journey to Easter began earlier in Holy Week with a Maundy Thursday service, which recalled the Last Supper and Jesus’ commandment to love and serve one another. This act of remembrance set a prayerful and reflective tone as the Diocese entered the final days of Lent.
On Holy Saturday, worshippers gathered at dusk for the Great Vigil of Easter, led by the Rt Revd Neil Warwick, Acting Bishop of Bristol. The service opened in the Cloister Yard with the lighting of the new fire, from which the Paschal Candle was lit. As the candle was processed into the darkened Cathedral, light spread gradually through the congregation, marking the passage from darkness into light.
Inside the Cathedral, the ancient Easter proclamation, the Exsultet, was sung, and readings traced the story of God’s saving work through scripture, interwoven with prayer and reflection. The turning point of the Vigil came with the Easter Acclamation, proclaimed with the ringing of bells, fanfares, and the lighting of the altar candles. Baptisms and confirmations followed, each candidate receiving a candle lit from the Paschal flame, before the service concluded with the first Eucharist of Easter.
Celebrations continued on Easter Sunday when the Cathedral was filled for the 10am Festal Eucharist led by the Very Revd Dr Mandy Ford, Dean of Bristol. The Easter Candle, lit the night before, was carried in procession as the congregation sang traditional Easter hymns. Choral music, confetti cannons, and the joyful sprinkling of water blessed at the Vigil marked the service, as Bishop Neil preached on the meaning of the resurrection for Christian life today.
Across the Diocese, churches marked Easter in many different ways, united in proclaiming that Christ is risen.