St. Paul’s Cathedral San Diego Announces 2025 Holy Week Schedule: Good Friday Meditations and Easter Celebrations

San Diego, California – St. Paul’s Cathedral San Diego, a prominent spiritual and architectural landmark in the heart of the city, has announced its comprehensive schedule of services and observances for Holy Week, culminating in the significant commemorations of Good Friday on April 18, 2025, and the celebration of Easter Day on April 20, 2025.

The cathedral’s planned events offer members of the community and visitors alike the opportunity to engage with these pivotal moments in the Christian calendar, reflecting on the sacrifice and resurrection central to the faith. Services are designed to be accessible, with options for both in-person attendance within the historic Cathedral building and online participation, ensuring broad reach for those unable to attend physically.

Commemorating Good Friday

The solemn observance of Good Friday, marking the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, is scheduled for Friday, April 18, 2025. St. Paul’s Cathedral has planned two distinct services to guide worshippers through reflection on this day of profound significance.

The day’s schedule begins at 12 pm with a service titled “Choral Music and Meditations on the Passion.” This midday offering is designed to provide a period of quiet contemplation, combining sacred choral music with reflective readings and meditations focused on the suffering and death of Christ. The integration of music and spoken word aims to create a deeply moving experience for participants. This service will be available for attendance in the Cathedral itself and will also be livestreamed for remote viewing.

Later in the evening, at 7 pm, the cathedral will hold its Good Friday liturgy. This formal service typically includes readings from scripture recounting the passion narrative, prayers, and other elements central to the Anglican tradition’s commemoration of this day. Like the midday service, the evening liturgy will be offered both within the sanctuary of St. Paul’s Cathedral and accessible to a wider audience through online streaming.

These services provide a structured pathway for individuals to observe the gravity of Good Friday, reflecting on themes of sacrifice, suffering, and redemption ahead of the hopeful celebration of Easter.

Celebrating Easter Day

The focus shifts to joy and triumph on Easter Day, Sunday, April 20, 2025, as St. Paul’s Cathedral celebrates the resurrection of Christ. The cathedral has scheduled two services to accommodate worshippers on this central Christian festival.

The first service, a Holy Eucharist with hymns, will commence at 8 am. This early morning service offers a more traditional approach to the Easter liturgy, featuring hymns and the sacrament of Holy Communion, providing a reverent start to the day’s celebrations.

The main celebratory service, designated as the “Festival Eucharist,” will take place at 10:30 am. This service is expected to be a highlight of the Easter calendar at St. Paul’s, characterized by more elaborate music, liturgy, and a festive atmosphere. The Cathedral has announced that the Bishop will preach and preside at this significant service, underscoring its importance within the diocesan community. Following the 10:30 am Festival Eucharist, a special reception is planned, offering an opportunity for fellowship and community engagement among those celebrating the holiday.

Both the 8 am and 10:30 am Easter Day services invite the community to participate in the celebration of hope and new life that the resurrection represents.

Supporting Global Ministry: The Good Friday Offering

In conjunction with the Good Friday observances, St. Paul’s Cathedral continues to highlight the significance of the Good Friday Offering. Established in 1922, this historical offering serves a crucial purpose: providing financial support to the Anglican Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East.

This offering represents a tangible link between local congregations in San Diego and the ongoing ministry and mission of the Anglican Communion in a region of immense historical and contemporary importance. Funds raised through this initiative assist in sustaining churches, schools, hospitals, and other vital services provided by the Anglican Church across the diverse communities of Jerusalem and the wider Middle East. The enduring nature of this offering, in existence for over a century, underscores the deep commitment within the Anglican tradition to global partnership and support for fellow Christians and their communities facing various challenges in the Holy Land and beyond.

Administrative Notes

Following the intensity of Holy Week and the Easter celebrations, the administrative offices of St. Paul’s Cathedral San Diego will observe a holiday closure. The offices will be closed on Monday, April 21st, and Tuesday, April 22nd, in observance of the Easter holiday period. Normal office operations are expected to resume after these dates.

The full schedule of services, including details on accessing the online streams, is available through the Cathedral’s official communication channels. These services mark significant dates in the Christian calendar and invite participation from all who wish to observe them, whether in person at the historic San Diego location or remotely.