Holy Week at Anglican Cathedrals (2026)
Holy Week is here again. At this most sacred time of the church’s year, Anglican Christians note the ending of the penitential season of Lent in dramatic fashion, as we retrace the final days of our Lord. This week, we observe our Lord’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection with time-tested ceremonies, alongside some creative and innovative celebrations. In the ACNA, such observances are probably expressed in their most elaborate and highest form among the various diocesan cathedrals.
As the cultural centers of their respective dioceses and the regional standard-bearers of liturgical piety and expressions of Christian joy, ACNA cathedrals are an ideal destination for anyone wanting to experience Holy Week at its Anglican fullest! Whether it’s carrying Palms in procession to mark the triumphant entrance of Jesus, or special services of prayer and reflection marking the days leading up to Spy Wednesday and the traditional Triduum, the ACNA’s cathedrals provide some wonderful opportunities to observe Holy Week among the body of faithful believers.
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I’ve scoured the webpages, newsletters, and announcements of our provincial cathedrals to give you an idea of what’s going on at these great centers of worship, with the hope that you’ll be inspired right where you are, in your own parish, re-treading the same path that Jesus took to Golgotha and beyond.
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday celebrates Christ’s entry into Jerusalem, often a day accompanied by Palms and a joyful procession that children will remember and love. It’s an occasion of joy that is tinged with foreboding as we are reminded of the events that follow.
Notable observances:
- Cathedral Church of the Apostles (Columbia, SC). Palm processions alongside parish fellowship and Easter celebrations.
- Holy Cross Cathedral (Loganville, GA). A full slate of Palm Sunday services.
- Church of the Redeemer (Greensboro, NC). Outdoor procession reenacting Christ’s entry into Jerusalem.
- Saint Timothy’s Anglican Cathedral (Spring, TX). Multiple Eucharistic services
- All Saints Anglican Cathedral (Long Beach, CA). Formal cathedral liturgy launching Holy Week.
Monday–Wednesday in Holy Week
These often-overlooked days are increasingly being recovered as a time of preparation, reflection, and deepening intensity. They help to frame the coming Paschal events and prepare the Church for the Triduum.
Daily Offices & Eucharists
- St. Peter’s Anglican Cathedral (Tallahassee, FL). Full sequence of daily Holy Week liturgies (Mon–Wed).
- St. Vincent’s Anglican Cathedral (Bedford, TX). Daily services leading into the Triduum.
- Emmanuel Anglican Cathedral (Fresno, CA). Bilingual daily observances (English & Spanish).
- All Saints Anglican Cathedral (Amesbury, MA). Evening Prayer Monday–Wednesday.
Holy Tuesday
- Cathedral Church of the Apostles. Stations of the Cross on Holy Tuesday.
Spy Wednesday (Tenebrae)
Tenebrae, which means “darkness,” is one of the most triking services of Holy Week. Don’t miss the emotional impact as each candle is dramatically extinguished one by one!
- St. Charles Anglican Cathedral (Cascadia). Tenebrae on Spy Wednesday.
- Saint Timothy’s Anglican Cathedral (Spring, TX). Eucharist followed by Tenebrae.
Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper and Christ’s demonstration of humility and love for the Apostles. It is often marked by foot washing, Holy Communion, and a ceremonial stripping of the altar.
Notable observances:
- All Saints Anglican Cathedral (Long Beach, CA). Prayer vigil following the liturgy.
- Saint Timothy’s Anglican Cathedral (Spring, TX). Foot washing and all-night vigil.
- Church of the Redeemer (Greensboro, NC). Foot washing and altar stripping in a deeply participatory liturgy. St. Vincent’s Anglican Cathedral (Bedford, TX). Liturgy, then ceremonial stripping and altar of repose.
- Cathedral Church of the Ascension (Pittsburgh, PA). Full cathedral observance
- Church of the Resurrection (Wheaton, IL). Includes blessing of oils alongside Maundy Thursday liturgy.
Good Friday
Good Friday is the climactic ending of Jesus’ suffering on earth. What Tolkien called a “euchatastrophy” (or “good tragedy”) is often enacted in our cathedrals with Stations of the Cross, Seven Last Words, or a Liturgy of Christ’s Passion.
Notable observances:
- Christ Church Anglican Cathedral (El Paso region, All Nations). Early morning pilgrimage (Mt. Cristo Rey) + Stations + devotions.
- Christ Church (Plano, TX). Stations of the Cross and Liturgy of the Passion.
- Saint Timothy’s Anglican Cathedral (Spring, TX). Mass of the Pre-Sanctified, Rosary, and Stations.
- St. Charles Anglican Cathedral (Cascadia). Way of the Cross and evening liturgy.
- Cathedral Church of the Ascension (Pittsburgh, PA). “Seven Last Words of Christ.”
- Cathedral Church of the Holy Communion (Dallas, TX). “Seven Last Words” meditations.
- Church of the Redeemer (Greensboro, NC). Interactive participation (nailing prayers to the cross.
Holy Saturday and Easter Vigil
Holy Saturday begins as a day of waiting and reflection, but as night falls, the many congregations will gather for one of the most powerful liturgies of the year: the Easter Vigil, which moves our hearts in time from the darkness of night into light.
This service has seen a notable resurgence across the ACNA.
Notable observances:
- All Saints Anglican Cathedral (Long Beach, CA). Formal Easter Vigil.
- Saint Timothy’s Anglican Cathedral (Spring, TX). Vigil with baptisms celebrated.
- St. Charles Anglican Cathedral (Cascadia). The Great Easter Vigil.
- Cathedral Church of the Ascension (Pittsburgh, PA). Full Vigil liturgy.
- Church of the Redeemer (Greensboro, NC). Narrative, Scripture-rich Vigil from creation to resurrection.
- Cathedral Church of the Holy Communion (Dallas, TX). Easter Even baptisms and confessions.
- St. John’s Cathedral (Quincy, IL). Traditional Great Easter Vigil.
Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday is the high feast of the Christian year, a joyous proclamation that Christ is risen! Across the ACNA, and especially in her cathedrals, celebrations are marked not only by liturgical joy but also by festive, communal life.
Notable observances:
- Church of the Resurrection (Wheaton, IL). Festive Easter celebrations (with bells!)
- All Saints Anglican Cathedral (Long Beach, CA). Flowering of the Cross.
- Emmanuel Anglican Cathedral (Fresno, CA). Bilingual Easter services with Flowering of the Cross.
- Cathedral Church of St. Luke & St. Paul (Charleston, SC). Easter celebration followed by a parish potluck.
- Saint Timothy’s Anglican Cathedral (Spring, TX). Easter Eucharists and egg hunt.
- Holy Cross Cathedral (Loganville, GA). Easter Sunday celebrations.
- St. Peter’s Anglican Cathedral (Tallahassee, FL). Full Easter liturgies.
- Christ Church Anglican Cathedral (All Nations). Easter Eucharist with the bishop.
Conclusion
The observance of Holy Week across ACNA’s cathedrals continues to deepen and mature. Several examples have services provided every day of Holy Week, and while there is much unity in liturgical observances, there remains a diversity of expressions.
So whether you await Easter Vigil late on Holy Saturday, or you will rise to early service in your Sunday best (or both), the breadth of Anglican expression is in full preparation for the liturgical highs and lows representing the great drama of our faith this Holy Week.
Photo by David Arment from Getty Images, courtesy of Canva, digitally edited by Jacob Davis.
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