This year’s service on Sunday 15 May begins in Liverpool Cathedral where the congregations, choirs and clergy of Liverpool’s two cathedrals gather for the start of the service.
Marking the Christian feast of Pentecost and as a sign of ecumenical witness this bi-annual service signifies the close links between the denominations on Merseyside. Part way during the service all taking part leave the cathedral and walk half a mile along Hope Street to the Metropolitan Cathedral, where the service concludes.
This year marks 34 years since the first Two Cathedrals service, which was held when the late Pope John Paul II came to Liverpool in 1982, visiting Liverpool Cathedral first before driving along Hope Street to the Metropolitan Cathedral.
It is also 49 years since the opening of Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral on the feast of Pentecost in 1967. Next year the Metropolitan Cathedral will celebrate its 50th anniversary.
Performers will turn Liverpool’s Hope Street into a giant stage next month as part of events surrounding the two cathedrals’ walk.
Liverpool’s Pentecost Pageant has been held in the city for 34 years, with thousands of people processing along Hope Street between the two places of worship.
In 2008, the Sheppard-Worlock statue, commissioned by the ECHO and sculpted by Stephen Broadbent, was unveiled during the walk of faith.
Now for the first time, the two cathedrals have teamed up with the city council and Visit Hope Street Community Interest Company (CIC) to expand the religious celebration into a full day event.
The free event, running from noon to 3pm on Sunday, May 15, will see music, dance, performance and colour all the way along Hope Street, with five main performances spaces creating what organisers hope will be a unique atmosphere and experience.
Further information here: Pentecost 2016
