Durham St Cuthbert’s Day

Where: Durham, at the Cathedral; Walk starts at Finchale Priory and ends at Cathedral
When: 20th March or near date
Time: Service with Procession to Shrine 6 pm; Walk starting 1pm and arriving at Durham 3.30pm approx for St Cuthbert's Day Eucharist at 4pm

 

Durham Cathedral is the final resting place of St Cuthbert and each year the Cathedral hosts a range of celebrations to mark his feast day on 20th March. Prayers are said every day at his tomb all year, and for the feast a special festal eucharist is sung during which the congregation are invited to process to the Saint’s tomb in the feretory, accompanied by incense and specially written pieces of music. Also on a day near to the feast there will be a walk organised by the Northumbrian Association which sets off at 1pm from Finchale Priory (it used to be in the morning at 9.30 from the church at Chester-le-Street) and arrives at the Cathedral during the afternoon (around 3 pm) carrying the Banner of St Cuthbert, to be welcomed by prayers at the Shrine.

Helpful Hints

In 2024 the St Cuthbert’s Procession to the Shrine should be on Friday 15th and the Pilgrimage and  St Cuthbert’s Day Service on Saturday 16th March.

Other events usually take place around the date as part of the St Cuthbert’s Day Festival (details on Cathedral website).

If the Feast of St Cuthbert coincides with Holy Week (which happens some years because Easter is a moveable feast and St Cuthbert’s is fixed) then the St Cuthbert’s Services may change date slightly – double check with the Cathedral if you’re unsure. Full details of the Feast and the Walk can be found on the Cathedral website. Note that the time of the service alters from year to year so check first.

Click here for the Cathedral website: https://www.durhamcathedral.co.uk

View this location on the map.