The liturgies of this most sacred time are an invitation to enter more fully into the mystery of the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Please participate as you feel called. Consider joining in an experience new to you. The entire community is blessed by your presence, whether in person or online.

Sunday, April 13: PALM SUNDAY—The Sunday of the Passion

8 a.m.  •  Palm Sunday Liturgy •  Thomsen Chapel

9 a.m. •  Palm Sunday Liturgy •  cathedral nave

11 a.m. •  Palm Sunday Liturgy •  cathedral nave and livestreamed

The Holy Week journey to the Cross begins with Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem, greeted by shouts of "Hosanna!"

At 9 & 11 a.m. we begin outdoors (weather permitting). We will again welcome The Super-Krewe to lead the noisy, boisterous procession, which you’re invited to join with palms and rhythm instruments.

At the 9 a.m., an extended Children’s Chapel will be offered with a gentle, age-appropriate journey through the stories of Holy Week. Children are invited to follow the cross to Thomsen Chapel during the sequence hymn prior to the reading of the Passion Gospel and will return to their families at the Peace.

12:15 p.m.  •   Stations of the Cross Liturgy  •  cathedral nave

This service prayerfully engages with the cathedral's beautiful and austere artworks by sculptor Virginia Maksymowicz—learn more about them here. On Palm Sunday, a special liturgy created by the participants in the Saint Mark's pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 2023 is used.

4:30 p.m. •  The Saint Mark's Music Series presents: The Seven Last Words of Christ

7 p.m. •  Contemplative Eucharist on Palm Sunday  •  Thomsen Chapel

9:30 p.m. •  The Office of Compline for Palm Sunday  •  cathedral nave, livestreamed, and broadcast on Classical KING

The anthem for this service will be by the 18th-century Czech/Bohemian composer Jan Zelenka.

Monday, April 14: Monday in Holy Week

7 p.m.  •  Eucharist with Prayers for Healing  •  cathedral nave

An intimate service of Holy Eucharist with the option to participate in the ancient practice of anointing and laying on of hands by a priest. Music is offered by Canon Musician Michael Kleinschmidt on the piano and Associate Musician Rebekah Gilmore.

(Cathedral Yoga is suspended in Monday in Holy Week.)

Tuesday, April 15: Tuesday in Holy Week

8:15 a.m.   •  Morning Prayer   •  in Thomsen Chapel

11 a.m.   •  Chrism Mass   •  cathedral nave and livestreamed

A joint celebration of the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia and the Northwest Washington Synod of the ELCA, including renewal of ordination vows for priests and deacons.

7 p.m.  •  Contemplative Eucharist  •  cathedral nave

A special version of the liturgy of silence and stillness usually offered Sunday evenings. (This replaces Contemplative Prayer in Holy Week.)

Wednesday, April 16: Wednesday in Holy Week

7 p.m.  •  Tenebrae •  cathedral nave and livestreamed

Tenebrae (Latin for shadows) is, for many, a highlight of the liturgical year at Saint Mark's, with psalms and Lamentations chanted by the adults of the Evensong Choir as candles are gradually extinguished and the cathedral is engulfed in darkness.

TRIDUUM—The Sacred Three Days

The Liturgies of the Triduum—that is, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in Holy Week—are considered as a single liturgy stretched over three days. They trace Jesus's journey from the table to the garden, from the cross to the tomb until the proclamation of the Resurrection at the climax of the Easter Vigil, late Saturday night.

April 17: Maundy Thursday

7:30 a.m.  •  Morning Prayer on Maundy Thursday  •  via zoom 

7 p.m.  •  Maundy Thursday Liturgy  •  cathedral nave and livestreamed

We remember the Last Supper and Jesus's last teachings to his friends. A sermon will be offered by the cathedral's seminarian, Alison Leary Estep. Everyone is invited to participate in the touching and humbling ceremony of the washing of feet. Music is offered by the Saint Mark's Singers and the choristers of the Choir School. The service concludes with the unsettling rite of the Stripping of the Altar, as Psalm 22 is chanted.

~8:30 p.m.  •  Night Watch at the Altar of Repose (in the cathedral nave by reservation and livestreamed)

From the conclusion of the liturgy Thursday evening until daybreak on Friday, volunteers are invited to "watch and pray" in McCaw Chapel—learn more and to sign up here.

April 18: Good Friday

11 a.m.  •  Communal Walking of the Stations of the Cross  •  cathedral nave

This liturgy will use the order of service authorized by The Episcopal Church from the Book of Occasional Services.

12 p.m.  •  Good Friday Liturgy  •  cathedral nave and livestreamed

7 p.m.  •  Good Friday Liturgy  •  cathedral nave and livestreamed

Recalling the suffering and death of Jesus Christ, the Good Friday liturgy is out-of-joint. The liturgy includes the complete story of Jesus' trials, crucifixion, and entombment (read at noon, chanted at 7 p.m.). The "Solemn Collects" of the Good Friday liturgy echo some of the oldest prayers of the Christian church. Dean Thomason will preach. There is no Eucharist. Music at 7 p.m. is offered by the Cathedral Choir and the Schola (youth choir) of the Choir School. The service ends with the Contemplation of the Cross.

(It is the tradition at Saint Mark's to offer The Sacrament of Reconciliation, also known as “private confession,” on Good Friday. If this is something you would like, please contact any member of the clergy.)

April 19: Holy Saturday

12:15 p.m.  •  Holy Saturday Liturgy  •  cathedral nave

A brief but moving liturgy from The Book of Common Prayer, offered in an unfamiliar corner of the cathedral nave marks the strangeness of this day when we like Jesus may feel suspended between earth and heaven. This liturgy begins with 15 minutes of silent meditation. Canon Emily Griffin preaches.

8:30 p.m.  •  The Great Vigil of Easter  •  cathedral nave and livestreamed

This is the holiest night of the Christian year. It begins with the kindling of the New Fire, and by candlelight we hear the chanting of the Exsultet (the Church's ancient proclamation of Easter), lessons from the Hebrew Scriptures, and Baptisms take place. Then the Bishop gives the Proclamation of the Resurrection, the cathedral is awash in glorious light and sound, the great doors of the cathedral nave swing open, and we celebrate the first Eucharist of Easter.

April 20: Easter Sunday: The Feast of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ

6:30 a.m.  •  Easter Sunrise Eucharist  • in McCaw Chapel

First offered in 2021, this simple Eucharist is offered as dawn breaks on Easter morning.

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8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m.  •  Easter Day Liturgy  •  cathedral nave; livestreamed at 11 a.m. only

A joyful celebration of the Feast of the Resurrection, with a sermon by Bishop Phil LaBelle and music by the Cathedral Choir joined by brass, percussion, and hand bells.

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9:45 a.m. & 12:15 p.m.  •  Easter Egg Hunt  •  labyrinth/front lawn

7 p.m.  •  Contemplative Eucharist on Easter Evening  •  Thomsen Chapel

9:30 p.m.  •  The Office of Compline on Easter Sunday  •   cathedral nave, livestreamed, and broadcast on Classical KING

A special Compline which always begins with a canticle sung in procession with handbells. (more details).

~10:10 p.m.  •  Organ By Night  •   cathedral nave

Featuring organ works for Easter played by Saint Mark's own Canon Kleinschmidt. More details.

SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 4 P.M., in the cathedral nave

Canon Emily Griffin and pianist David Poortinga will lead us using art, story, and song through the life of Jesus as we prepare to enter Holy Week.

The Godly Play story usually shared over the weeks of Lent, The Faces of Easter, will be told in large scale, and familiar hymns and tunes will be woven throughout with opportunities to sing, wonder, and pray together as we reflect on the journey to the cross and the mystery of the Resurrection.

Registration is now open!

Register using this form.

All members of the community of Saint Mark's are warmly invited to become an Intergenerational Prayer Partner, as part of special program lasting from Shrove Tuesday, March 4, through the Day of Pentecost, Sunday, June 8.

What does this mean? 

If you register to participate, you’ll be matched with a prayer partner of another generation, with whom you’ll regularly check in so you’ll better know their prayer needs. Perhaps you’ll sit together on Sunday mornings, and meet up occasionally at Saint Mark’s events, such as the Pancake Supper and the Pentecost Run/Ride/Roll.

How will this work? 

You’ll fill out a brief form telling us which service you attend and what some of your interests are, we’ll do some match-making and put you in touch with your prayer partner by email. We hope you and your assigned prayer partner will meet up at the Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras Pancake Supper, get to know each other a bit, and begin praying for each other.

Participants will be given written prayers which you may choose to use, along with other creative prayer suggestions. There will also be a list of Saint Mark’s events you might choose to attend together over the three-month period.

Can children and youth participate?  

Yes! Parents can sign up on behalf of children and youth can sign up with parental permission. In all emails, parents will be copied, and we are only meeting up during church events, so prayer partners of children and youth will never be meeting privately, following Safe Church policies.

Can I be matched with another adult?

Yes! Intergenerational simply means you’ll be paired with someone of another generation, and you can let us know if that’s your preference.

Why are we doing this?

We want to help cultivate and strengthen intergenerational relationships among Saint Mark’s parishioners, and we know from other congregations who have adopted this model that it’s a great way for people to meaningfully connect and engage with each other.