Durham Cathedral officially launches its Holy Week celebrations this Sunday (April 2) celebrating the most important week in the Christian calendar.

Visitors to the Cathedral from April 2-9 will be able to take part in eucharists, processions and prayer celebrating the birth and death of Jesus Christ.

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Services begin on Palm Sunday (April 2) with a Sung Eucharist and carry on to Easter Sunday (April 9) with a 5am symbolic cloister fire.

Reverend Canon Michael Hampel, Acting Dean of Durham, said he is looking forward to visitors experiencing the “great journey” of Easter celebrations.

He added: "Holy Week and Easter at Durham Cathedral take us on a journey of faith right to the heart of the Christian story.

“The very stones of the cathedral building are soaked with the prayers of centuries and we invite everyone to join us for some or all of this great journey, accompanied by prayer, insight and choral music.”

Family friendly events are also on the agenda from April 10, where young visitors can make spring and Easter crafts and walk the Cathedral’s springtime trail.

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With visitors expected to travel from across the world, the World Heritage Site Cathedral is set to be a buzzing hub for this year’s annual festivities.

Chief Officer of Visitor and Experience, Andrew Usher said: “We get lots of visitors at Easter from all over the UK, as well as internationally, and everyone is welcome to join these special services and learn more about the Easter journey.

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“The tone of the cathedral is very different during Holy Week and it’s a special time to experience Durham Cathedral as a living, working church.”

To find out more about this years celebrations, click here.