During Holy week, in the days leading up to Easter Sunday, Christians around the world will observe Holy Week, commemorating the final days in the life of Jesus Christ.
St. John’s Episcopal Church, an historic church in the heart of downtown Portsmouth, offers compelling worship, passionate preaching, and world class music without having to leave the seacoast.
Through storytelling, music, and tradition we will make our way through Holy Week to the celebration of Christ’s glorious Resurrection at Easter. Many elements of the liturgies for these sacred days have been passed down to us from the earliest centuries of Christianity, while other elements are unique to Saint John’s, having become beloved traditions of this community through the decades, and can be experienced nowhere else.
Within this sacred building, seekers, worshipers and tourists are invited into a living tradition of faith. Together we discover how our story fits into God’s story. Whoever you are, wherever you are on your faith journey, you are welcome at St. John’s.
Surrounded by community and nourished by prayer, we will journey together to Easter.
Will you join us?
Holy Week Schedule in list format
Palm Sunday, March 29 2026
Services at 8AM and 10AM
Monday in Holy Week, March 30 2026
Spoken services at 12PM and 6PM
Tuesday in Holy Week, March 31 2026
Spoken services at 12PM and 6PM
Holy Wednesday, April 1 2026
Spoken services at 12PM and 6PM
Maundy Thursday, April 2 2026
Rite 1 Holy Eucharist with Prayers for Healing, spoken service at 9:30AM
Maundy Thursday with foot washing, music, and livestream, 6PM
Good Friday, April 3 2026
Spoken service at 12PM
Evening service with music and livestream, 6PM
Holy Saturday, April 4 2026
Great Vigil of Easter, with music and baptisms, and the First Holy Eucharits of Easter, 8PM in-person only
Easter Sunday, April 5 2026
Rite 1 service at 7:45AM with livestream
Rite 2 service with brass, choirs, and livestream at 9:15AM
Rite 2 service with brass, and choirs at 11AM, in-person only
