Southwark Cathedral hosts BBC One’s Easter Eucharist

The BBC crew spent more than two weeks making preparations at the cathedral and a number of rehearsals have been held.

The Bishop of Southwark, Rt Revd Tom Butler, presided at Sunday morning's Eucharist and the sermon was preached by the Dean, Very Revd Colin Slee.

Music was provided by the cathedral's Great Choir which includes the Girls' Choir as well as the Gentlemen and Boys. The setting was Missa in tempore paschali by Philip Moore.

After communion the bishop distributed Easter eggs to younger members of the congregation.

The service was carefully timed to fit into the hour-long BBC One TV slot before the broadcast of the Pope's Easter message from the Vatican.

After the televised service had ended the clergy returned to the altar to resume the distribution of communion which, due to the size of the congregation, could not be completed during the television broadcast.

• The Choral Eucharist can be viewed on the BBC iPlayer until Sunday 19 April

Songs of Praise

With the extra lighting and cameras installed in the cathedral the BBC will this week film two editions of Songs of Praise for broadcast in September 2009 and January 2010.